BRUNEI: Center Daniel Nugroho's try with less than four minutes remaining proved to be the difference as Indonesia defeated the Cambodia Koupreys 11-10 Saturday night in the second round of the Asian Rugby Football Union Asian Nations Series Division 6 Tournament.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Cambodia, after it came from behind to take the lead just a few minutes before, as flanker Ut Vuthy scored off a ruck with 17 minutes left. Pich Rattana's conversion made it 10-6 in favor of Cambodia.

The crowd at Balapang Stadium saw a bruising defensive battle, with both teams unable to sustain a consistent offensive attack.

Indonesia fly half Kirk Arundale opened the scoring five minutes into the match with a penalty kick, giving Indonesia a 3-0 advantage. But Cambodia's Rattana countered with a penalty kick of his own at the 25 minute mark, tieing the match at 3-3.

Indonesia regained the lead at the ten minute mark of the second half as Arundale added his second kick, making it 6-3.

Cambodia then answered with solid play from its forward pack, as they slowly pounded their way toward the Indonesian goal, culminating with Vuthy's try from ten meters out.

The next ten minutes saw neither team making headway against the opposition, and as the clock wound down, it appeared that Cambodia would be able to hang on for the win.

But a knock on and several critical offside penalties against Cambodia deep in its territory, enabled Indonesia to make a final drive toward the goal, with Nugroho rolling in from five meters out for the score. The normally reliable Arundale missed the conversion kick however, and the margin remained at a single point.

The Cambodians still had time to turn the tide, and it looked they would do so, as they drove down to the Indonesia five meter line, only to be rebuffed by the determined Indonesian defense. Indonesia regained possession with a minute to play, but Cambodia got the ball back seconds later for one final shot at goal.

An infringement penalty against Indonesia gave Cambodia a chance to win with a penalty kick, but Francois Bleriot's attempt from 30 meters sailed just wide of the mark as the final whistle blew, giving Indonesia the victory.
Cambodia Coach Brian Thomas praised Indonesia's efforts, but he also felt that poor play from the Kourpey back line contributed to his team's loss.

" Give credit to Indonesia. They are big, strong, tough, and vastly improved from last year, " said Thomas. "Their backs defended well and were putting a lot of pressure on our back line when we had the ball. "

"Unfortunately, we were unable to make the adjustments necessary to deal with those things, and our number ten (flyhalf) was also not getting good ball from our halfback. We also dropped a lot of passes and kicks. There is no excuse for that. "

The Koupreys next face Laos, which suffered a heartbreaking defeat of its own, losing to Brunei 17-16 on a penalty kick at the final whistle.

The Cambodia-Laos match is set to kickoff on Wednesday night at 19 :00 (Brunei time), 18 :00 (Cambodia time). Brunei faces Indonesia in the second match, scheduled for 21 :00 (Brunei time), 20 :00 (Cambodia time)