Underdogs Indonesia shock Troussier's Qatar

'We had difficulties with our finishing. It was a cruel defeat for us,' says Frenchman

Indonesia secured their first ever victory in an Asian Cup, defeating Qatar 2-1 in the Worker's Stadium to take the early lead in Group A.

'My players all did their jobs and followed out our tactics on the field. Qatar are a very strong team and this was a very difficult match,' said Indonesia's Bulgarian coach Ivan Kolev. 'Fortunately we were able to win.'

The counter-attacking Southeast Asians stunned the Qataris, by taking the lead with possibly their first threatening attack of the game in the 25th minute through Budi Sudarsono, and secured the points through Ponaryo Astaman's long range drive two minutes into the second period.

Indonesia playing in their third consecutive Asian Cup finals, had only previously claimed two draws, both against Kuwait. That they held on for their historic first win was more due to Qatar's lack of composure in front of goal, than their own nervous defending. It wasn't until eight minutes from the end that all three Qatar substitutes combined with Ali Mejbel applying the finishing touch, to give the Gulf nation a glimmer of hope.

'In the last 20 minutes my players were very tired and very tense,' Kolev admitted. 'Because of the tension the fatigue really showed.'

The Bulgarian will be replaced by Englishman Peter Withe at the end of he tournament, but is already guaranteed a happier time than his Qatar counterpart Philippe Troussier who announced that he will resign at the end of the Asian Cup after 14 months in charge.