Grand Royal Challenge

Grand Royal Challenge Cup is a competition to welcome the incoming Asia Cup which will be held soon, and Indonesia is going to host together with Myanmar. Indonesia will be in group A with Bangladesh and Myanmar, while in group B there will be Malaysia, Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), and Vietnam.

Indonesia currently doesn’t have their best players,like Bambang Pamungkas whose still injured and Budi Sudarsono whose still grounded from playing; given by PSSI’s discipline committee because of hitting other player when having a match versus PSMS Medan’s but Indonesia will play with existing members, putting Aliyudin (Persija) and T.A.Mushafry (Persiba), whom both haven’t got any experiences in any Internasional matches.

Even though, Indonesia was able to defeat Bangladesh with 2-0 score, those two goals were made by Firman Utina (Pelita Jaya) and T.A. Mushafry (Persiba) whom was able to prove that he’s a goal-thirsty striker although with minimum experience. And in second round, Indonesia met Myanmar. In first-half game, Indonesia was able to score a goal first, done by Ismed Sofyan (Persija). Two minutes after the goal, Myanmar was able to make the score draw. In second-half, Indonesia had to play with ten players, because M. Roby (Persik) made a fault in penalty box, and through penalty kick, Myanmar reversed the situation by topping Indonesia. At this moment, Indonesia is collecting 3 points below Myanmar, whose leading the group with 4 points. Later in semifinal, Indonesia will face Ulsan Hyundai from group B.