Group A: Indonesia bow out with 5-1 win over Laos
INDONESIA 5
(Evan Darmono 8, Ramdhani Lestaluhu 20, 50, Zulham Zamrun 82, Ketsada Souksavanh 89-og)
LAOS 1
(Khampheng Sayavutth 28-pen)
Indonesia bowed out of the AFF Suzuki Cup with a 5-1 thrashing of Laos on Friday night at the Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi.
Despite living up to their end of the bargain in the bid to qualify from Group B with a large victory over the Laotians, the Merah Putih's result was rendered inconsequential by Vietnam's 3-1 victory over the Philippines in their concurrent match.
Alfred Riedl's side took an early lead in spectacular fashion via Evan Darmono. The 19-year-old midfielder found space to shoot on the edge of the area in the 8th minute and his left-footer sailed into the top corner of Seng Athit Somvang's goal.
Wide man Ramdani Lestaluhu doubled Indonesia's lead 12 minutes later with a late burst into the box to slot home after some good hold-up play by Uruguay-born striker Cristian Gonzales.
Just as it looked like Indonesia were about to pull away, left-back Supardi Nasir barged into Vilayout Sayyabounsou as his side's last man in the 27th minute to earn a red card and concede a penalty.
Laos striker Khampeng Sayavutth stepped up and drilled his spot-kick down the middle to reduce the deficit.
Despite going a man down, Indonesia continued to plug away at their opponents and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Darmono's low cross evaded the Laos defence to be turned in by the waiting Ramdhani.
While Indonesia's two-goal hero had to be substituted in the 56th minute due to injury, it did not stop Zulham Zamrun from adding a fourth after 82 minutes when he got on the end of a Muhamad Ridwan cross to apply the finishing touch.
The rout was completed in the 89th minute when Laos captain Ketsada Souksavanh turned the ball into his own net while trying to keep out Zulham's cross.
While both sides were eliminated, the result ensured that Indonesia could hold their heads higher with a win under their belt while their vanquished opponents left the tournament without a point to their name.
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