JAKARTA: Indonesia chalked up their first ever win in the Asian Games series when they downed Hong Kong, China 3-2 in their final Group A match at the BK Hockey Stadium.
Indonesian coach Gusmao Ahriandi said that the result was a huge boost to the game and will have a good impact for the future. “I have said before that we need a longer preparation period. Six months is not enough. There are some talented players and we need to keep them together.
“There were no expectations when we took part but we have done well with the matches we have played. For example, against Japan, we only lost 1-3. The team is one of their best matches”.
He furthered, “Today against a team that is perhaps our level, we managed to collect full points. I am proud of the players and for their fighting spirit”. “We have one more match in the classification playoff. We will try our best to win as well,” he added.
Aly Surya Alfandy scored the first goal in the 12th minute from afield attempt. But in the 25th minute, Hong Kong drew level with a field goal through Siu Chun Ming. Three minutes into the second half the Indonesians took the lead from another field goal scored by Richard Brando Aunalal. And Ardam then turned in the winner with a field goal in the 40th minute. That turned out to be the winner.
The Hong Kong team managed to pull a goal back in the 59th minute through Gabriel Tsoi Long Ting but time had run out on them to salvage the game. Indonesia will now play for ninth place with either Thailand or Kazakhstan on Thursday.
