TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT HALFWAY POINT OF QUALIFIERS

PHNOM PENH (22 Oct 2008) – Going into the fourth match day of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 qualifiers tomorrow, the forecast as to which teams will win the two available slots for the final round in December is still not very apparent.

The early signs had pointed to the Philippines getting past the qualifiers with ease with their array of overseas based players but that has not come to fruition following their 2-1 defeat to Laos yesterday.

The Philippines had begun their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Timor Leste and then a 1-1 draw against Brunei in their second match.

And while Philippines have the talent, it is perhaps teamwork which was lacking in the squad led by Juan Cutillas and this is one area which they will need to tweak on going into the final game of the qualifiers against hosts Cambodia tomorrow.

“We have two injured players for the next match against Cambodia and the problem with the yellow cards seems to add to the already difficult situation,” added Cutillas.

For hosts Cambodia, they will be under pressure to up their game following the disappointing 2-2 draw they scored against Timor Leste previously.

This even though Cambodia had started the qualifiers on a positive note with a 3-2 win over Laos on the first day of the meet.

Head coach Prak Sovannara said that it will be a crucial match against the Philippines – one which both teams needed to win to make sure that they have a chance to play in the final round.

“It will be a tight game but the advantage is that we will have enough time to rest and we will be looking to win the full points,” said Sovannara.

Both the Philippines and Cambodia will head into tomorrow’s match on the same four points.

With Timor Leste having the day off where now they will have little to play for but pride of a new nation on the final match day on Saturday, the other match of the day will see Laos taking on Brunei.

Both Laos and Brunei won their last games and they will be eager to build on that confidence for the full points.

Laos head coach Veleriy Dvovin was a little reserved with his chances.

“We can play good football as we have shown in the last match. Now it is important to make sure that we make good on the chances that we have created,” added Dvovin.

Brunei on the other hand were on cloud nine where apart from winning over Timor Leste for the three points, their 4-1 victory made sure that they are the top of the standings for the first time ever.

“We are going for good results and we want to be in a situation where we can qualify,” added Vjeran Simunic, the head coach for Brunei.

The fight will be close and it will be furious.

But at the end of the 90 minutes, the picture as to which team will make the December meet will be a lot clearer.

TOURNAMENT FIXTURES and RESULTS (All matches at the National Olympic Stadium)

17 OCT 2008: PHILIPPINES 1TIMOR LESTE 0/ CAMBODIA 3 LAOS 2

19 OCT 2008: TIMOR LESTE 2 CAMBODIA 2/ BRUNEI 1 PHILIPPINES 1

21 OCT 2008: PHILIPPINES 1 LAOS 2/ TIMOR LESTE 1 BRUNEI 4

23 OCT 2008: Laos vs Brunei (1400hrs)/ Cambodia vs Philippines (1600hrs)

25 OCT 2008: Brunei vs Cambodia (1400hrs)/ Laos vs Timor Leste (1600hrs)

CURRENT STANDINGS

1. BRUNEI 4pts (+3)

2. CAMBODIA 4pts (+1)