REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NAYPITAW -– Indonesia avoided the wooden spoon tag in women’s Futsal when they beat hosts Myanmar 5-1 in the second match of the day here at the Naypyitaw Futsal Stadium.

Backed by a full house of the home fans, the Myanmar girls began strongly and pressured Indonesia from the onset. And Indonesia despite playing without the steady influence of the suspended Rani Mulyasari, was disciplined in their defending as they kept the likes of Kay Thwe Toe and Nan Khan Mo at bay.

“It was a good game but we are still not good enough yet,” said Indonesian coach Andri Irawan. “We are just not sharp enough in front of goals.”

After holding out for long periods, Indonesia finally pushed forward and in one counter-attack earned a penalty when Myanmar’s Aye Nyein Thu was faulted by Chinese referee Zhu Beiqian for an elbow on Indonesian captain Maulina Novryliani.

Maulina took the penalty herself to beat Myanmar keeper Zin Min Tun to give Indonesia the lead.

It was obvious that the Myanmar girls were in a state of disbelief and just before the break, Indonesia made it 2-0 when Novita Murni Piranti blasted in a freekick from the right.

Myanmar tried to get back into the game after the break but as hard as they tried Indonesian keeper Efie Iswandari was just in her mettle to deny. And in the 28th minute, Indonesia went further ahead when Tia Darti Septiawati burst through the Myanmar backline before Maya Muharina Fajriah slid the ball in.

But while the hosts finally managed to get on the scores sheet in the 31st minute when Thu Zar Htwe turned in her marker for a shot to the top corner, Indonesia were just too hard to resist as Anggi Puspitasari (31st minute) and Tia Darti (32d) added to the final score line.

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