Garuda grounded by DPR Korea

11-Sep-2012

A pair of second-half goals saw 10-man Indonesia succumb 2-0 to DPR Korea in an international friendly at the Gelora Bungkarno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday.

The 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup runners-up showed plenty of endeavour in attack but they struggled to create clear openings against their North Korean opponents.

Goalkeeper Endra Prasetya made a fine save to stop Pak Nam-chol’s header early in the second half but the hosts faced an uphill task when Handi Ramadan was sent off in the 65th minute after receiving his second yellow card for a tackle from behind on a DPR Korea player.

The visitors duly took the lead from the resulting free-kick as Pak Song-chol drove a low shot past Prasetya into the bottom corner of the net.

DPR Korea wrapped up the win with 15 minutes left when Jong Il Gwan fired home a loose ball after Prasetya had made a brilliant save to deny An Il Bom on the counter-attack.

Indonesia will continue their preparations for the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup with a friendly against Vietnam in Surabaya on Saturday. The Merah Putih will be playing in Group B at the tournament with defending champions and co-hosts Malaysia, three-time champions Singapore and the runners-up from the qualifying competition.



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