Azkals hope for Sunday miracle vs Indonesia

The Philippines hopes another miracle would take place on Sunday when they take on Indonesia in the second leg of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2010 semifinals at the Gelaro Bung Karno Stadium at 8 p.m. (Manila time). After a 1-0 loss in Thursday’s opening match, the Philippine men’s national football team, more popularly known as the Azkals, needs to score two goals to win and secure a first ever finals appearance in Southeast Asia’s biggest football tournament. With the away goals rule being applied, a 2-1 win will also be enough for the phenomenal Azkals, who once again are the heavy underdogs in the semifinal match. Because the aggregate tally of both matches is what will count, a draw in the second game would actually be enough for the Indonesians to advance, while a 1-0 victory by the Filipinos will send the game into 30 minutes of extra time. Should the series still be tied after that, the outcome will be decided by a penalty shootout, with the winner facing either Malaysia or defending champion Vietnam. Team manager Dan Palami remains upbeat and undaunted on the Filipinos' chances, judging from the way they have bucked tremendous odds on their way to reaching this stage of the football series. “One of the best things about this team is its never-say-die spirit. We still have 90 minutes to come back," said Palami. Although PHL coach Simon McMenemy echoed Palami’s words, both realize that the team faces a tougher task against the slick-passing Indonesians. “If you go chasing a game when you're 1-0 down in a two-leg tie and you concede two or three, then you've lost the tie," McMenemy said. “So it was very important that we stayed disciplined in the first leg, although we had the setback of the goal." Christian Gonzales delivered the marginal goal in the first leg, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up by goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and fullback Ray Jonnson in the 32nd minute. Indonesia’s Austrian coach Alfred Reidl is wary of the threat posed by the Filipinos. "We must remember that our place in the final is not secured yet," Reidl said. “We still have a very difficult match to play (on Sunday)." "A 1-0 lead is still a very dangerous score so we will have to play to win the second match as well," he added. “It will be too dangerous to play for a draw in the second leg so we cannot afford to play defensively." – JVP, KY, GMANews.TV