A superb first half showing from Indonesia was a foundation for a confidence-boosting 3-1 friendly win over Burundi at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi on Saturday night.
Taking on the Africans in the first of their two friendlies against one another, Indonesia flew right off the blocks and took the lead as early as the 6th minute. A cross from Stefano Lilipaly was met with an excellent header from Yakob Sayuri, with the ball easily going past Burundi goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora.
Burundi, who had former Premier League striker Saido Berahino sitting on the bench throughout the match, were dealt a second blow in the 14th minute. Mutombora managed to parry away a Lilipaly header, however the loose ball was lapped up by Marc Klok, who managed to found Rachmat Irianto. Rachmat then passed the ball to Dendy Sulistyawan, with the Bhayangkara FC man beating Vipers SC goalie Mutombora with a superb finish.
Indonesia then wrapped up the result just before half-time, after Rizky Ridho landed a thumping volley into Mutombora’s goal to make it 3-0 for the Timnas Garuda.
Shin Tae-yong’s men then stepped down a pace in the second half, thus allowing Burundi to exercise their presence into the game, especially after the introduction of Yeni Malatyaspor midfielder Jospin Nshimirimana into the fold.
And indeed it was Jospin who played a vital role in Burundi’s consolation goal in the 51st minute, passing the ball towards Pacifique Niyongabire who managed to beat the Indonesian defense and rifled in a powerful shot into the top left corner of Syahrul Trisna’s goal.
The goal boosted Burundi’s confidence and they managed to pile on the pressure towards Indonesia throughout the remainder of the second half, but even with the introduction of former Melbourne Victory attacker Elvis Kamsoba the Africans were unable to find their way past the Indonesian defense again, allowing the Timnas Garuda to claim their well-deserved 3-1 win.
Both Indonesia and Burundi are set to clash again at the Patriot on March 28th.