KUALA LUMPUR (25 Dec 2010) – Indonesian striker Irfan Bachdim might have scored two goals thus far in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 but that has not guaranteed him a place in the match against Malaysia tomorrow.
Indonesia will clash against Malaysia for the right to be called the ASEAN champions in a two-legged final – the first to be played in Kuala Lumpur at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow with the return leg three days later in Jakarta.
But as Irfan pointed out after the team’s training session this morning at the National Stadium, the decision whether he gets to play will depend on Indonesia chief coach Alfred Riedl.
“I’m fit and I’m ready and I want to play in the final. But I also know that the decision of whether I will get to play or otherwise will depend on the coach. In the last match, the coach decided to use Yongky (Aribowo) and (Christian) Gonzalez, so we will see what happens tomorrow,” exclaimed Irfan.
“As a player, the only thing I can do is to work hard during training and make sure of my commitment to the team. Of course, we have to demonstrate to the coach just how much we want to be selected.
“Against Malaysia, it will be another tough game for sure and it will be different than the one we played before. They have changed somewhat and they will be more prepared for us.”
Other than Yongky and Gonzalez, the Indonesian side also have veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas.
Bambang, who had at one time played for Malaysian Super League side Selangor, said that the most important thing is to concentrate on winning the game and not fret on the line-up.
“The coach has his strategy, so for us we just have to give our best in training and also in the game if we are selected,” added Bambang.
<b>AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010, FINALS FIXTURES</b>
First-leg – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (BUKIT JALIL NATIONAL STADIUM, KUALA LUMPUR)
26 Dec Malaysia vs Indonesia (2000hrs)
Second-leg – Jakarta, Indonesia (GELORA BUNG KARNO STADIUM, JAKARTA)
29 Dec – Indonesia vs Malaysia (2000hrs)
