SEA GAMES 2011: TIMOR NEED MORE TEAMWORK; PHILIPPINES EAGER FOR FULL POINTS

JAKARTA (7 Nov 2011) – Despite picking up their first three points in the competition two days earlier, Timor Leste will have to inject more teamwork into their game if they hope to get away unscathed against the Philippines later today.

With FA of Timor Leste  president Francisco Kabualdi, who is also a vice president of  the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), already stating in no uncertain terms that he wish the team to make the final this year, the onus is on the lads to deliver.

“The team has been here (in Jakarta) for the past month and as far as playing abilities are concerned, these players have had experienced playing in Australia and also Portugal,” said Francisco.

“And add to their physical advantage, then I think that this is perhaps the best team that we have ever assembled in recent years. All these players are not naturalised players, they are true Timorese who wants to help football in Timor.”

Perhaps it was just first game jitters or that playing in front of a big, expectant crowd was a new experience for the boys from Timor. But with just hours left to the kick-off against the Philippines, they will have to get all their uncertainties out of their system.

The Philippines might not be as forgiving as Brunei was and they will certainly make good on their promise of wanting to be in the podium this year.

“We might have lost the first game (against Vietnam), but we showed flashes of brilliance with the players that we have on our side,” offered Philippines coach Michael Weiss.

“Now that we have a few more days to acclimatise, I think that we should put up a better performance in our second match.”

SEA GAMES 2011 RESULTS and FIXTURES

GROUP B