INDONESIA will be without a live wire for the second-leg final match against Malaysia tonight.
Okto Maniani (pic), who has an electrifying pace to trouble any defence, is out on suspension. And team manager Andi Darusallam Tabusalla said that it was a pity to lose a player of his calibre for a crucial match in which Indonesia have to make up a 0-3 deficit.
“There is nothing we can do about it. Okto cannot play because he has to serve suspension,” said Andi at the pre-match conference yesterday.
Okto was among the scorers in Indonesia 5-1 rout of Malaysia in the opening Group A match in Jakarta on Dec 1.
The nippy Okto, who has the same playing style as former Indonesian star Ellie Aiboi, was unlucky to pick up a second booking in the first-leg final in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
Okto had the pace and threatened the Malaysian defence but could not find the breakthrough in the game, which Malaysia won 3-0.
Arif Auyono is expected to come in as a replacement for Okto the second-leg match.
However, Indonesia will be counting on their Uruguay-born striker Christian Gonzales to lead the charge for goals.
Gonzales did have a couple of chances at goal in the first-leg match but failed to make them count. He also created openings for fellow striker Yongki Ari Bowo.
Indonesia have another option to play in their search for goals.
They can still count on celebrated veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas.
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