It was always going to be a tough encounter for the Oceania side, with the host’s build-up including matches against East Timor, Morocco, Palestine and Turkey during the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Despite the task, the PNG side opened well and continued to press even after conceding two early goals in similar fashion. Indonesia’s Dendi Santoso twice came down the right flank in the first 20 minutes finishing strong for the first, while passing off to Yandi Munawar for the second.
PNG were in the game with their fair share of chances in the first half, most noticeably two chances for Nigel Dabinyaba up the left which went begging when he couldn’t connect with the cross from Jacon Sabua.
Another chance came from the right as Max Sengum launched an attack on the stroke of half-time.
Unfortunately the second-half was all Indonesia as they picked up the tempo, bombarding PNG goalkeeper Benjamin Wilbert before their captain Andrik Vermansah blasted in a third for the hosts just seven minutes in.
An injury to Wilbert saw Charles Lepani enter the fold and within a minute of coming on he has reeling from a second goal to Munawar. Bayu Sanggiawan was the author of Indonesia’s fifth shortly after.
PNG substitute Patrick Aisa tried to ignite the match with a number of spurts down the right but it proved too little, too late as Indonesia sealed the victory through a final goal to Roni Beroperay.
PNG captain Koriak Upaiga said despite two losses the team was starting to pick up momentum and actually played better than the score suggests.
“The two matches have clearly shown where we are and gives the team as a whole a better idea of what level we need to rise to in order to be on par,” Upaiga said.
Papua New Guinea’s final match was against Laos on Sunday, and unfortunately they went down 3-1.
To see highlights of Papua New Guinea vs. Indonesia click here.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

Share