Barcelona B vs. Indonesia U19s: Score, Grades and Reaction from Friendly Game

Luis Suarez scored twice in an appearance with Barcelona's B squad on Wednesday, helping his side to a 6-0 victory over an Indonesia U19 selection.

Suarez, who joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a high-profile transfer over the summer, is banned from official matches following an incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in which he bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. The Uruguayan is free to play in noncompetitive games until his four-month suspension is finished.

With his official debut set for Oct. 25 against rivals Real Madrid, per ESPN FC, Suarez will have taken Wednesday's B-team match as an opportunity to work on his match sharpness. Barca will be pleased with the results, with Suarez netting one goal each side of half-time, combining impressively with young playmaker Alen Halilovic. The Uruguayan lasted the full 90 minutes and appeared fit and fresh at the final whistle.

Suarez made an early impact as he won a corner for Barcelona, and it was the Uruguayan's fellow debutant Thomas Vermaelen who headed home Halilovic's cross into the area in the third minute. 

Croatia international Halilovic almost added a second for the Catalan side, but his effort struck the crossbar.

Suarez was almost set clear inside the area after a one-two with David Babunski, but the move broke down.

However, the former Liverpool striker did not take much longer to score his first goal in Barcelona colours. After a clever ball over the Indonesia defence by Halilovic, Suarez raced forward and scuffed his effort beyond Indonesia goalkeeper Ravi Murdianto.

Ravi then produced a fine save from a Suarez drive, before the South American mishit an acrobatic strike moments later.

In the 20th minute, Suarez combined with Halilovic once more, but the Indonesia defence closed down on the striker, although a penalty could easily have been awarded.

Six minutes later, a neat touch from Suarez at the edge of the Indonesia area almost set up Halilovic, but the Croatian could not control the ball and Ravi cleared. From the resulting corner, Babunski added a third for Barcelona after linking up with Juan Camara.

Suarez almost surprised Ravi when he connected with a Babunski corner, but the Indonesia goalkeeper pushed the ball away.

The forward earned Barcelona a free-kick in the 40th minute after his shirt was pulled on the edge of the area. Suarez took the set piece himself and fired just wide.

Barcelona held a 3-0 lead at half-time and went straight back on the attack following the break. In the 50th minute, Halilovic played in Suarez, who opened up space for himself before chipping wide of the back post.

Halilovic created another opportunity 12 minutes later, spinning free and bursting down the middle before laying off for Suarez. The Uruguayan attempted to cross from the right, but his pass was blocked.

Barcelona's fourth goal arrived in the 66th minute via Javier "Bicho" Fernandez. Maxi Rolon set up the chance with an angled ball into the box, allowing Bicho to slot through the goalkeeper's legs with his first touch.

Moments later, Suarez made it 5-0. Accepting a pass with his back to goal outside the box, Suarez turned and cut back onto his left foot before drilling into the top corner at the near post.

Suarez and Halilovic combined again in the 68th minute, the latter curling a wicked shot off the crossbar.

Barcelona then won a penalty in the 77th minute as Rolon's shot was handled along the edge of the box. One minute later, the Argentine sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for Barca's sixth and final goal.

Grades

Luis Suarez: A

The Uruguayan had a lively opening 45 minutes, including a first goal in Barcelona colours. The second half brought a second goal and plenty of attractive buildup play with Halilovic, who also impressed.

Suarez still has to wait a month before making his official debut, and no doubt, Barcelona will be happy to have him in the line-up.

 

Thomas Vermaelen: A

Vermaelen scored in the first half and remained on the pitch until the 63rd minute, when he made way for a substitute.

All in all, it was a successful hour on the pitch for the defender, who has yet to appear for the first team this season. Little was required of the former Arsenal captain in a defensive capacity in the opening period, but scoring his first goal early in the match represented a confident start. 

In addition to scoring, Vermaelen showed he can play left-back, a trait that first-team manager Luis Enrique might just find quite valuable.

 

Alen Halilovic: A

The youngster outshone even Suarez in the first 45 minutes with plenty of clever play, including his link with the former Liverpool striker for the second goal.

Halilovic continued his fine play in the second half and could have even had a goal, but his curling effort rebounded off the bar.

 

Post-Match Reaction

To follow…