Boaz goal gives Indonesia lead over Vietnam in AFF Cup semi

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:51 am

Indonesian football fans
Indonesian football fans
Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Boaz Solossa's second-half penalty gave Indonesia a slim 2-1 advantage over Vietnam after an entertaining AFF Suzuki Cup first-leg semifinal in Bogor on Saturday night.

The Indonesian captain's spot-kick was one of two given by Australian referee Jarred Gillett, who also awarded Vietnam a penalty of their own.

The second leg will be played in Hanoi on Wednesday.

Indonesia were appearing in their first semifinal in six years. But, more significantly, they were playing in their biggest home game of 2016 after coming off a year-long ban in May.

As predicted, more than 30,000 fans packed into Pakansari Stadium creating a boisterous and intimidating atmosphere for the visitors.

An early goal raised the decibels when Hansamu Pranata gave the hosts a seventh minute lead through a thumping header.

Indonesian football fans
Indonesian football fans
Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images

Rizky Pora was the architect, delivering an inch-perfect delivery from a corner. Hansamu capitalised by nipping in front of his marker to bury a firm header past Tran Nguyen Manh.

Indonesia continued pressing high up the pitch after that, and their tactics unsettled the visitors, who appeared jittery in possession.

But Indonesia's lead didn't last long. Vietnam drew level 10 minutes later through a controversial penalty.

Le Cong Vinh dramatically fell in the box after the slightest of contact from Beny Wahyudi. Gillett deemed it a spot kick, much to the fury of the Indonesians.

Up stepped Nguyen Van Quyet to lash home past Kurnia Hermansyah to level proceedings.

Selangor's Andik Vermanshah hit an effort just wide before Stefano Lilipaly came close with a free kick as Indonesia tried to regain their foothold in the game.

Gillett further irked the Indonesians by producing only a yellow card to Nguyen Trong Hoang, who flew into a two-footed challenge on Manahati Lestusen.

The second half ended at 1-1, and the second 45 minutes started in a similar, fiery fashion.

Only five minutes into the half, Gillett awarded his second penalty of the night, this time to the hosts.

Lilipaly was upended as he tried to jink his way to goal. Boaz Solossa, who had been nursing illness the whole week, stepped up to fire past Nguyen Manh, restoring Indonesia's lead.

Van Quyet then twice spurned glorious chances to level for Vietnam.

First, he hit a tame half volley from four yards after Cong Vinh's shot had been deflected into his path in the 60th minute.

Ten minutes later, the Hanoi T&T forward headed wide from close range when it seemed easier to score.

Vietnam had one final chance to secure a second away goal. But Dinh Thanh Trung's shot from outside the box was brilliantly tipped away by Kurnia as Indonesia hung on for the win ahead of the trip to Hanoi.