PHILIPPINES TO PLAY INDONESIA NEXT WEEK

MANILA (12 Nov 2010) – In an effort to put more defensive cohesion into their game ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 next month, the Philippines could not have chosen a better opposition than to take on Indonesia in a friendly to be played in Jakarta.

After some initial hiccup, the friendly match between the Philippines and Indonesia will take place on 16 November and will be played at the cauldron of the Senayan Stadium.

“We need to improve on our defence and it will be crucial to our AFF Suzuki Cup campaign to make sure that we seriously look to give more cohesion and understanding to our backline,” said Simon McMenemy, the chief coach of the Philippines.

The Philippines emerged as the second best team at last month’s AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers – behind hosts Laos.

For the final round of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010, the Philippines have been placed in Group B against hosts Vietnam, former champions Singapore and Myanmar.

In Group A are hosts Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Laos.

In the meantime Nugraha Besoes, the secretary general of the Indonesia FA (PSSI) has confirmed that other than the match against the Philippines on 16 November, the Indonesia national team will play two other friendly matches.

They will take on Cambodia on 21 November at the Jakabaring Stadum in Palembang and then Chinese Taipei three days later at the same venue.