JAKARTA – Former Selangor striker Bambang Pamungkas handed Indonesia an impressive 2-1 win over 2004 semi-finalists Bahrain as the surprises continued at the AFC Asian Cup 2007 on Tuesday evening.

Bambung struck in the 62nd minute after Abdulrahman Abdulkarim had pushed Firman Utina’s long-range shot against the post to give Ivan Kolev’s side the perfect start to their Group D campaign.

Budi Sudarsono opened the scoring after 14 minutes for the home side only to see Sayed Mahmoud Jalal pull the Bahrainis level in the 27th minute.

The win means three of the four co-hosts will go into the second round of group matches unbeaten after Thailand held Iraq to a 1-1 draw on the opening day before Vietnam downed the United Arab Emirates 2-0 on Sunday.

The Indonesian fans were in raptures after just 14 minutes when they took the lead following a perfectly played through ball by Firman.

The Persima Tangerang midfielder scooped the ball over the Bahrain defence and Budi evaded the offside trap to leave himself one-on-one with Abdulkarim, who he rounded after controlling the ball on his chest before sliding his shot home.

Budi’s goal caused pandemonium in the stands, sparking flare-waving celebrations on the packed upper tier of the famous old stadium as the home fans dared to dream that they could match the performances of fellow co-hosts.

But, after offering little in the way of a goal-scoring threat throughout the half, the Bahrainis pulled level three minutes before the half hour mark.

Mahmoud Abdulrahman dispossessed Mahyadi Panggabean on the left side of the Indonesian half before playing the ball through to Abdullah Omar and, although his shot was blocked at the near post, Sayed Mahmood Jalal was on hand to slot home the rebound.

Indonesia came close to reclaiming their advantage three minutes before the end of the half, however, when the quick thinking of Elie Aiboy almost punished Bahrain, the Arema Malang midfielder stealing the ball off Fawzi Ayesh before firing off a shot that Abdulkarim parried to safety.

Seventeen minutes after the restart, though, the Indonesians were back in front as Bambang finished off a fine move.

Elie, who tormented the Bahrain defence throughout the game, sped down the left before cutting the ball inside to Budi, who laid the ball off to Firman and he fired off a shot that was pushed onto the post by Abdulkarim.

But as the ball bounced back into the middle of the penalty area, Bambang seared in to finish emphatically.

As the clock ticked down the fans inside the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium cranked up the volume, although Rashed Al Dosari almost spoiled the party 12 minutes from time when his looping effort from inside the penalty area hit the crossbar.