Indonesia registered the shock result of the Asian Cup so far, withstanding intense early pressure and showing great resilience to hold Kuwait to a goalless draw in their Group B encounter in Tripoli.

In a cagey opening quarter, Kuwait always looked the side more likely to score, but they struggled to turn possession into chances. They didn’t manage a shot until the 16th minute, when Nohayr Al Shammari let fly from all of 30 yards, only for the ball to skid comfortably into Hendro Kartiko’s arms.

Indonesia might have survived until then, but that was the signal for shots to start reigning in on their goal. Jasum Al Huwadi almost worked himself an opportunity, muscling his way onto a looping through ball from Bashar Abdulaziz only to prod his shot straight at Kartiko.

Kartiko, though, was called into more meaningful action a moment later, being forced to fling himself full length to push wide a tremendous drive from Al Huwadi.

Kuwait were slowly taking control, but over-adventurousness almost cost them dear as Kurnawan Dwi Yulianto broke down the right and crossed, only for Matheus Nurdiantoro to slice his shot wide with the keeper floundering.

But it was Al Huwadi, the man who scored an astonishing 15 goals in qualifying – including eight in one game against Bhutan – who always looked the more likely to score, and he was denied once again by Kartiko, who dived to his right to hold the forward’s low volley.

Bashar Abdulaziz headed just over, and had a shot pushed round the post by Kartiko, while Osama Abdullah headed wide from a corner with the goal at his mercy.

The Kuwait fans began to lose their voice as the suspicion grew that their pressure might nearly yield a goal. Yulianto almost nicked one at the other end, shaking off two challenges only to hit his shot straight at Ahmar Al Jasem on the stroke of half-time.

The Kuwait of the second half was a very different beast to that of the first, and it seemed almost as though they had run out of ideas. Indeed, it was Indonesia who looked the more likely to score. Seto Nurdiantoro drove a low shot from the edge of the box that brushed the side-netting, and then Rochy Puttiray was only denied by a last ditch challenge from Al Shammari.

Nevertheless, Indonesia were careful never to over-commit, and they rarely pushed more than three men forward for corners. They continued to close down Kuwait in the midfield, and they almost visibly grew in confidence as the game wore on, with Djet Donald Laala in increasingly imperious mood at the back.

Al Huwadi finally found a shooting opportunity three minutes from time, but he drove his shot wide, which just about summed up an intensely disappointing second half for the Gulf Cup champions.

But just at the end, Yulianto almost did the unthinkable, racing from inside his own half, only to drag the ball inches wide from the edge of the box. It wasn’t to be, but Indonesia will nevertheless be delighted with the draw.

Kuwait: Ahmar Al Jasem, Falah Al Majidi, Osama Abdullah, Jamal Abdulrahman, Nohayr Al Shammari, Husain Al Khodhari (Esam Al Kandari 6), Bader Al Halabeej, Saleh Al Azemi, Abdullah Saihan (Khalaf Al Mutairi 62), Ahmad Al Mutairi, Jasem Al Huwadi, Bashar Abdulaziz (Faraj Saeid 76).

Indonesia: Kartiko, Nuralim, Pujianto, Laala, Santoso, Sofyan, Ivakdalam, Nawawi (Nahumarury 52), Nurdiantoro (Riyadi 67), Yulianto, Puttiray.

Referee: Taja Doinfares.

Booked: Esam Al Kandari (Kuwait).

source: www.asian-football.com