The Futsalroos maintained their 100% record at the AFC Futsal Championship following a 5-0 win over Indonesia at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium on Friday.
The Futsalroos maintained their 100% record at the AFC Futsal Championship following a 5-0 win over Indonesia at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium on Friday.
Wade Giovenali opened the scoring after 13 minutes of the Group B contest with Indonesia playing with four-men after Fachri Reza had been sent-off before Fernando De Moraes increased Australia-s advantage in the last minute of the first half.
Indonesia goalkeeper Yos Adi was also sent-off midway through the second half before late goals from Greg Giovenali, Tobias Seeto and Daniel Fogarty sealed a comfortable win as Australia followed up Wednesday-s last-gasp victory over China.
“China and Indonesia were big opponents for us,” said Australia coach Steven Knight.
“Indonesia have got the speed and agility to make it difficult for us and they have definitely got better since the last time we played them.”
Australia enjoyed the better of the early chances with opposition goalkeeper Adi kept busy, although Indonesia remained in the contest by proving particularly dangerous when counterattacking.
But with eight minutes remaining of the first half Australia were handed a significant advantage as Reza was shown a straight red card following a challenge on Fogarty to the right of the Indonesia goal.
And Australia took full advantage less than a minute later as Wade Giovenali applied a crucial touch from close range to finally beat Adi.
Indonesia were able to re-group after being restored to a full complement of players, but in the last minute of the first half, goalkeeper Adi failed to gather a ball on the edge of his penalty area and De Moraes was presented with a simple finish to double Australia-s lead.
Australia, though, were fortunate to maintain their two-goal advantage just over five minutes into the second half as only a last-ditch block on the goalline by Greg Giovenali denied Jaelani Ladjanibi.
But with just under 10 minutes remaining Indonesia goalkeeper Adi picked up a second yellow card following a challenge on Australia captain Greg Giovenali close to the halfway line.
Australia, though, were unable to take advantage this time and it was Indonesia who came close to a breakthrough as Agustin Andriansyah-s header came back off the foot of the post following an error from goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou.
But with just under three minutes remaining, Australia put an end to any thoughts of an Indonesia comeback as Greg Giovenali squeezed a shot between substitute goalkeeper Agus Salam and his near post.
And with just over 90 seconds remaining Seeto slid home Greg Giovenali-s pass at the back post to add to his two goals against China before Fogarty acrobatically turned a long ball forward into an empty net with the last touch of the contest with Indonesia pushing for a late consolation.
“It was a difficult game compared to the first match against Iran. Many of our players made basic individual mistakes to give Australia chances,” said Indonesia coach Andri Irawan after seeing his side suffer a second loss of the campaign following Wednesday-s 5-1 defeat by Iran.
“But it is a young team so we have a lot of hope for the future.”