MANILA â The Philippine Azkals returned to the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup after a scoreless draw with Indonesia Merah Putih on Sunday night at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Advancing to the next round, the Azkals finished Group B with 8 points on two wins and two draws, behind Thailand War Elephants, which had 10 points after a 3-0 win against Singapore.
The Azkals struggled to get a decent attempt early in the match. The closest one came from Stephan Schrock in the fourth minute but this was easily punched out by Indonesiaâs goalkeeper.
In the 25th minute Phil Younghusband was taken out of the match for good â a huge blow to the Azkals â for an injury on the forehead after a collision with an Indonesian player. Curt Dizon substituted him.
Indonesia had chances on the goal but the defense of Azkals goalie Michael Falkesgaard thwarted them. The Azkals tried to score, too, before the break but Martin Steubleâs attempt went wide.
Even if their semifinals seat was already assured at the start of the second half, the Azkals still made a strong push, with two near conversions from Manny Ott, but the ball just went straight to the hands of the Merah Putih goalie.
âWe knew it was a very important game, and to lose is a big risk,â said Azkals coach Sven Goran Eriksson. âAs expected, it was not an easy game since Indonesia also wanted to win. It was a difficult game, but a big game nonetheless.â
The Philippine national menâs football team will tangle next with Group A top seed Vietnam in a two-leg semifinal round.
The first leg will be on Dec. 2 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City and the second on Dec. 6 at the My DĂŹnh National Stadium in Hanoi./PN
