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Indonesia's Football Team Set to Test Philippines' Azkals
Wimbo Satwiko | December 14, 2010

Sporting prowess and success does much to elevate a nation’s image. It also creates national pride and a sense of unity among citizens, more than any government campaign. We can therefore expect 80,000 fans in full voice today at Gelora Bung Karno to will the Indonesian team to victory. (JG Photo/Afriadi Hikmal) Sporting prowess and success does much to elevate a nation’s image. It also creates national pride and a sense of unity among citizens, more than any government campaign. We can therefore expect 80,000 fans in full voice today at Gelora Bung Karno to will the Indonesian team to victory. (JG Photo/Afriadi Hikmal)
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Jakarta. With the Philippines having emerged as a footballing force to be reckoned with in the region, Indonesia coach Alfred Riedl believes there’s no room for overconfidence as his side prepares for the first leg of their AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal on Thursday.

Long considered the sick man of Southeast Asian football, the Philippines has reached the semifinal stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1996, beating Vietnam 2-0 on the way, and Riedl does not want his team to make the same mistakes as the defending champion.

“If a team advances to a semifinal, it must be a strong team,” the Austrian coach said on Tuesday.

“The Philippines has not lost a match. They beat Vietnam on their way to the semifinals while only conceding one goal in the group stage. I told the boys to forget the country’s past results. They’re a completely new and strong team.”

The Philippines shocked everyone in the group stage. After holding Singapore 1-1, it beat defending champion Vietnam with two goals scored through quick counterattacks.

However, armed with match analysis from the Indonesian Football Association’s technical director, Sutan Harharah, who watched the game between Burma and the Philippines, Riedl has designed tactics to thwart the “Azkals.”

“We have [done] tactical training, both offensive and defensive, with the semifinal match in our minds. We’re warned about the Philippines’ style, and I think we know our opponent very well,” Riedl said.

He recognizes that the Philippines has a few standout players, but does not want his team to focus on anyone in particular.

“They don’t play with just two to three players, they play with 11 players,” he said.

“We’ll try to make the best of our chances when we have possession, while trying to tame their counterattack.”

Despite Indonesia’s good run in the group stage, the players are also aware that they must not take the Philippines lightly.

“The coach has repeatedly told us to keep our feet on the ground,” defender Maman Abdurahman said.

“We don’t want to miss out on our title chance just because we underestimated them. We know our opponent, and we’re ready. ”

Meanwhile, injuries have left Vietnam coach Henrique Calisto with a headache as his team prepares to take on Malaysia in the first leg of their semifinal today.

Right back Huynh Quang Thanh injured his left shin in the team’s final Group B match against Singapore, and left back Doan Viet Cuong has a torn back ligament.

Dinh Luat and Dinh Dong may replace the two defenders.

“They are not as good as the two regulars, while their overlapping runs, a proven tactic for Vietnam at this year’s tournament, could be better,” Calisto told the AFF Web site.