Indonesia had been the only road team to snatch a result in the first leg of its AFC Second Round series after securing a 1-1 draw in Turkmenistan. The return affair in Jakarta was by far the most exciting of the matches during this matchday.Indonesia got a brace before the twentieth minute from Cristian Gonzales (pictured, #9) to put Turkmenistan down before they truly knew what hit them. Funny how two men named Mohammed followed Cristian's goal, but such is the beauty of the diversity of the world's fourth most populous country. Mohammed Nasuha ended the first half with a goal to make the score 3-0.
However, with just twenty minutes to go, Nasuha accidentally threw Turkmenistan a life line with an own goal. The other Mohammed, Mr. Ridwan (pictured, second from right) scored Indonesia's fourth, which ended up being the matchwinner. Turkmenistan looked to be done with a 78th minute red card to Bahtiyar Hojaahmedov, but after his dismissal Turkmenistan scored two desperate goals in the final ten minutes. Indonesia won the affair 4-3 and the aggregate 5-4 to become the only lower seed to advance out of its second round series. Indonesia now face the prospect of the preliminary draw on Saturday.
Bangladesh had fallen 4-0 to Lebanon in Beirut, but there would be a different story written on this day in Dhaka. Lebanon held Bangladesh scoreless for a half, which certainly gave the Cedars all the reason to believe that they would see out their four-goal advantage to the finish.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh valiantly soldiered on in the second period. A goal within ten minutes of the restart certainly gave life to Bangladesh, who went on to secure what must surely be their most impressive win in their country's history after a goal in the last five minutes made the final scoreline 2-0 in favor of the unheralded home side. Bangladesh ends their qualifying campaign on a high note and a record of two wins, a draw, and a loss. Lebanon definitely lost the day's battle but won the aggregate war 4-2 to advance to the AFC Third Round, where Lebanon will be the underdog in every match they play.
Saudi Arabia made the cross-continental trip to Hong Kong looking to solidify their status as a force in Asia with a victory to match their victory in the first leg. Saudi Arabia scored once in the first half to claim the road goals tiebreaker and all but end Hong Kong's hopes.
Saudi Arabia had the match on cruise control until about twenty minutes were left, at which point Saudi Arabia hit the accelerator and dusted Hong Kong with four goals to disgrace the home side with a 5-0 beatdown and a 8-0 series destruction. Hong Kong bid farewell to the tournament while Saudi Arabia look to build upon this victory in the next phase.
Goals:
Indonesia
Cristian Gonzales 10, 18
Mohammad Nasuha 42
Mohammad Ridwan 76
Turkmenistan
Mohammad Nasuha 70 (OG)
Berdy Shamuradov 83
Gahrymanberdy Chonkaev 86 PK
Bangladesh
Mithan Chowdhury 52
Zahid Hasan Emily 87
Saudi Arabia
Hassan Fallatah 34
Mohammed Noor 71 PK
Nassir Al Shamrani 73
Mohammed Al-Sahlawi 78
Osama Hawsawi 90+2
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aazr6qJD_k0 (Indonesia v. Turkmenistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sD8hA1S8Do (Bangladesh v. Lebanon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7XZ2QC-SmE (Saudi Arabia v. Hong Kong)
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