Indonesia hammer Bangladesh 9-2 to seal final spot

USA-based striker Mitchell Baker scored five goals as Bangladesh suffered a 9-2 defeat against Indonesia in their final FIFA ASEAN Cup fixture at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Thursday.

Shahriar Emon and young Farhaan Ali Wahid scored Bangladesh’s two goals -- one in each half, but Bangladesh were always behind the eight-ball, having conceded six goals in the first half.  

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The drubbing was Bangladesh's heaviest defeat in three years, since the men in red and green went down 7-0 to Australia in a World Cup qualifier in Melbourne. Their biggest defeats, however, remain 9-0 losses to Japan in 1979 and Iran in 1982.

Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley had expressed concern about the possibility of conceding heavily before the match, admitting he had no idea whether the margin could be four, five or six goals. His fear became reality as Bangladesh struggled to cope with the pace and intensity of an Indonesia side determined to secure a place in the final.

Coming into the game after an improved display against Singapore, Bangladesh had hoped to maintain that momentum. Instead, they endured a devastating evening against an Indonesia side packed with Europe-based players, who showed why they are ranked 65 places above Bangladesh.

The hosts, needing a big win to overtake Malaysia on goal difference, came out aggressively and put Bangladesh under pressure from the opening minutes. They scored almost at will in the first half, while Bangladesh struggled to deal with their quick movement and passing.

Bangladesh did manage to threaten on the counter, particularly down the left flank, and Emon pulled one back with a header in the 36th minute to make it 3-1.

But Indonesia quickly regained control and scored three more goals before half-time, leaving Bangladesh 6-1 down at the break.

The men in red and green showed greater resilience after the restart and managed to keep Indonesia from adding to their tally for much of the second half. Substitute Farhaan reduced the deficit further in stoppage time, but the hosts responded almost immediately.

The match was briefly halted following a confrontation between players from both sides. When play resumed, Indonesia struck twice in quick succession to complete the rout and secure their place in the final ahead of Malaysia on goal difference. Mehedi Hasan Srabon made a string of superb saves to keep the margin of defeat to seven goals.  

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Malaysia thrashed Singapore 6-0 in the other match of the group which kicked off simultaneously, yet missed out on a final spot.  

Bangladesh had started their campaign with a 3-0 defeat against Malaysia before being beaten 1-0 by Singapore.