Argentina’s Guido Rodríguez (right, front) fights for the ball with Indonesia’s Marselino Ferdinan (left) during the international friendly football match between Indonesia and Argentina in Jakarta on June 19, 2023.
(AFP/Adek Berry)
A
long-range thunderbolt from Leandro Paredes and a second-half headed goal from Cristian Romero earned Argentina a 2-0 victory on Monday in a friendly against Indonesia, making it two wins from two for the world champions on their short tour of Asia.
The South Americans dominated an at-times scrappy match against a spirited Indonesia team who were energised by a rapturous crowd of 56,000 which cheered every pass, throw and foray into the Argentine half.
The visitors had the best of the early action, with Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Gonzalez both denied and Facundo Buonanotte squandering a chance after skipping around the advancing keeper.
They finally made their breakthrough in the 38th minute when Paredes found space and blasted into the top corner from 30 metres.
Argentina doubled their lead 10 minutes after the break when an unmarked Romero converted with ease from a Giovani Lo Celso corner.
There was no hiding the disappointment in Indonesia over Lionel Messi's absence, despite his part in Argentina's 2-0 win over Australia in Beijing on Thursday, when he netted in 79 seconds, his fastest international goal.
Dressed overwhelmingly in red and waving national flags, the fans in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium still chanted "Messi" as the team walked on to the pitch.