Post by Usapang Football on Sept 17, 2010 15:02:39 GMT 8
Game Wednesday (Panaad Complex)
4:30 p.m. – Philippines vs. Thailand
BACOLOD – The much-talked-about Philippine men's football team finally makes its debut in the 23rd SEA Games football competition Wednesday, taking on defending champion Thailand in a lone match at the Panaad Sports Complex here.
The Nationals expect an extremely tough challenge but promise to gut it out in a bid for an upset and set in motion their aspiration to claim a first ever medal in the biennial meet.
“Laban tayo diyan. Malakas talaga iyan, pero may panalo tayo. Kailangan lang pag-trabahuan,” said RP team coach Aris Caslib.
With Caslib keeping his team from the prying eyes of their rivals, Thai coach Chanvit Pocchivin could only guess what they would be up to in the 4:30 p.m. match.
“We're really pressured because they're the hosts and they have six (Fil-)foreign players in their lineup. We're not prepared with the foreign players because we've not done any scouting. We just knew about them when we arrived Sunday,” said Pocchivin.
However, if the RP XI has its Fil-foreign recruits led by Chelsea FC reserves James and Phil Younghusbands, the Thais boast of a pre-SEAG program that included series of exhibition matches against major leaguers Real Madrid, Everton and Bolton .
Thailand stunned Everton in a penalty shootout, barely dropped a 0-1 heartbreaker versus Bolton and bowed to Real Madrid, 0-3.
No wonder, the Thais are fancied to retain their crown here.
RP football officials, meanwhile, would rejoice winning even just the bronze medal.
For the record, the RP XI's best finish ever in the Games was fourth in Manila in 1991. The Nationals highlighted their strong performance then with an upset of then reigning champion Malaysia during the prelims.(CF)
4:30 p.m. – Philippines vs. Thailand
BACOLOD – The much-talked-about Philippine men's football team finally makes its debut in the 23rd SEA Games football competition Wednesday, taking on defending champion Thailand in a lone match at the Panaad Sports Complex here.
The Nationals expect an extremely tough challenge but promise to gut it out in a bid for an upset and set in motion their aspiration to claim a first ever medal in the biennial meet.
“Laban tayo diyan. Malakas talaga iyan, pero may panalo tayo. Kailangan lang pag-trabahuan,” said RP team coach Aris Caslib.
With Caslib keeping his team from the prying eyes of their rivals, Thai coach Chanvit Pocchivin could only guess what they would be up to in the 4:30 p.m. match.
“We're really pressured because they're the hosts and they have six (Fil-)foreign players in their lineup. We're not prepared with the foreign players because we've not done any scouting. We just knew about them when we arrived Sunday,” said Pocchivin.
However, if the RP XI has its Fil-foreign recruits led by Chelsea FC reserves James and Phil Younghusbands, the Thais boast of a pre-SEAG program that included series of exhibition matches against major leaguers Real Madrid, Everton and Bolton .
Thailand stunned Everton in a penalty shootout, barely dropped a 0-1 heartbreaker versus Bolton and bowed to Real Madrid, 0-3.
No wonder, the Thais are fancied to retain their crown here.
RP football officials, meanwhile, would rejoice winning even just the bronze medal.
For the record, the RP XI's best finish ever in the Games was fourth in Manila in 1991. The Nationals highlighted their strong performance then with an upset of then reigning champion Malaysia during the prelims.(CF)