Southeast Asia Indonesia

Amat’s First Indonesia Goal Salvages Draw with Burundi

Jordi Amat scored his first Indonesia goal as the Timnas Garuda played out a 2-2 draw with Burundi in Tuesday’s friendly match at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi.

Both Indonesia and Burundi are playing out their second friendly match against one another in a week, with Indonesia prevailing 3-1 in their first encounter last Saturday. For the rematch, Burundi rang in the changes by starting a number of their heavy hitters, which included former West Bromwich Albion man Saido Berahino and former Melbourne Victory winger Elvis Kamsoba.

The game itself was a tale of two halves. The first half was a goalless affair, though Indonesia did carved out a number of chances through Dendy Sulistyawan, Yakob Sayuri, and Elkan Baggott.

The second half, however, was a whole different ball game. A pass from Dendy was rifled into Onesime Rukundo’s goal by Witan Sulaeman, giving Indonesia the lead in the 60th minute.

Burundi then pushed men forward in search for an equalizer and the Africans got what they’re looking for in the 80th minute, after Berahino had beaten Indonesia goalkeeper Syahrul Trisna with a well-taken shot.

Abedi Bigirimana then gave Burundi the lead in the 90th minute, but in the dying minutes of the match Indonesia managed to draw themselves level again, this time through Amat firing a bullet of a header into Rukundo’s goal after a Marc Klok free-kick.