THE FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER IN JAKARTA

JAKARTA (Dec 17, 2010) – Philippines, the surprise package of this year’s AFF Suzuki Cup, suffered their first loss yesterday but they still have 90 minutes to set their dream run back on track. Not many, including scores back in the Philippines, gave Simon McMenemy and his boys a ghost of a chance of even getting past the group stage.

But the team proved all critics wrong and have turned the form book upside down by making the semifinals. Proof of the sudden interest back home was when 3,000 plus fans turned up to support the team in their final training session before heading to Jakarta. Even the media have now turned up in Jakarta to report on the team.

“We made a mistake and lost the game but there’s still 90 minutes to go,” said McMenemy, who added that Indonesia failed to break his team. “They will have a better idea of what we’re about now but still it will be difficult for them to break us down.”

Yesterday, the Filipinos showed that they could not only handle the electrifying atmosphere but also create chances for themselves in the process. They had two clear chances in the first half and almost scored the equaliser in the 76th minute however Philip Younghusband’s superb overhead kick was cleared off the line.

The way the Filipinos played in front of 80,000 fans certainly has their opponents worried. Alfred Riedl commented that his team could not take any chances as a one-goal lead could easily be wiped out. “A one-goal lead is very dangerous which is why we must go out for the win, not aim for a draw,” the respected Riedl said.

He hopes the team will be able to lift itself up and play as well if not better than they did in the first game. He further explained that with the Philippines chasing the game, in their attempts to get the goals, it could create chances or openings for his players to exploit.

“It’s an important win today (yesterday) but the fight is not over,” he said.

AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010, SEMI-FINALS FIXTURES and RESULTS

First-leg – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (BUKIT JALIL NATIONAL STADIUM, KUALA LUMPUR)

15 Dec MALAYSIA 2 VIETNAM 0

First-leg – Jakarta, Indonesia (GELORA BUNG KARNO STADIUM, JAKARTA)

16 Dec Philippines 0 Indonesia 1

Second-leg – Hanoi, Vietnam (MY DINH NATIONAL STADIUM, HANOI)

18 Dec Vietnam vs Malaysia (2000hrs)

Second-leg – Jakarta, Indonesia (GELORA BUNG KARNO STADIUM, JAKARTA)

19 Dec Indonesia vs Philippines