MALAYSIA LOOK FOR ADVANTAGE; INDONESIA QUIETLY CONFIDENT
KUALA LUMPUR (24 Dec 2010) – Malaysia will be looking for the advantage while Indonesia are quietly confident for their first leg final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 which will be played in two days.
Malaysia will clash against Indonesia 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 on 26 Dec with the return leg three days later in Jakarta.
At the pre-match press conference, the air of amicability was obvious between the two close neighbours in ASEAN but the fact that both teams are chasing their first ever crown in the biennial championship belied a deeper sense of anxiety.
The Malaysians all eager to win the tie over 180 minutes to erase the bitter memory of their 5-1 thrashing in Jakarta in the group stage earlier this month while for Indonesia, they are chasing to quench the thirst of a nation all longing for football supremacy which they feel they deserved.
“We have been preparing quietly since our return from Hanoi,” said Malaysia chief coach K. Rajagobal.
“We played only one friendly (against Felda United) to give the players who did not get the chance to play to stretch their legs and I believe that everyone is feeling good at this time. They are all eager for this game against Indonesia.
“We have a good set of players who are injury free with the only question mark on Amirulhadi (Zainal), who is slightly off colour while Khyril (Muhymeen) is still not 100%.
“Since we are playing at home first, we have to take advantage for the return tie. Otherwise, it will be tough for us.”
Malaysia made the final of this year’s meet after beating defending champions Vietnam in the semi-finals while for Indonesia, they overcame Philippines in the last four.
For Indonesia, the match on Sunday will also be the first time that they are playing away in this year’s meet following the away-home match against the Philippinnes in the semi-finals.
Team manager Andi Tabusalla said that it does not matter where they play.
“They are all professionals and they should be able to play anywhere in the world. Anyway, Bambang (Pamungkas) played for Selangor before, so he should have some fans here and there,” said Andi.
“For us we are just here to play football, so there are no issues to be considered. One thing for sure, it will be a great game in the final.
“Firman (Utina) and Okto (Vianus) are injured and are not 100% but we will see in the next few days, how they measure up.”
For the match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, hosts Malaysia will be in the blue and white kit while Indonesia have opted for the white and green kit.
AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010, FINALS FIXTURES
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)
