Post by Usapang Football on Dec 8, 2010 6:19:51 GMT 8
www.inquirer.net/sports/articles/Inspired-PH-booters-battle-Burma-tonight.html
NAM DINH, VIETNAM—Still coming to grips with its newfound fame, the Philippine team looks to achieve another milestone when it battles Burma (Myanmar) Wednesday night in its final group match in the AFF Suzuki Cup at the Hien Truong Stadium here.
The Filipinos, whose stock rose incredibly following a 2-0 conquest of defending champion Vietnam, will be gunning for a first semifinal appearance in Southeast Asia’s most prestigious football competition in the 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. in Manila) duel.
A draw against the already eliminated Burmese side would be enough for the Filipinos, the Group B leaders with four points, to advance to the last four.
But team manager Dan Palami expects no let-up from the squad, especially now that the team has received unprecedented attention back home.
“The players understand that this is their chance of a lifetime to do something for the sport in the country,” said Palami. “We want to grab this opportunity.”
A win against Myanmar in this bustling city some 90 kilometers southeast of the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi would give the Philippines top spot in Group B.
Singapore, level on points with the Philippines, and Vietnam, which has three points, play in a simultaneous match at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.
If Singapore wins, the Filipinos are sure to progress as the No. 2 squad, even if they bow to Burma.
If Vietnam prevails, the Filipinos must finish with a better goal difference over Singapore to advance.
The worst-case scenario for the Filipinos would be a loss to Burma and a draw by Vietnam and Singapore. If that happens, Singapore will top the group with five points and Vietnam will advance as No. 2 squad because of its superior goal difference over the Filipinos.
Making the semifinals was never in the squad’s imagination until that historic victory against Vietnam last Sunday, and skipper Aly Borromeo has moved to temper the excitement from their achievement.
“It’s been surreal the past two days,” said Borromeo, noting the avalanche of congratulatory messages that the team has been receiving on social networking site Facebook and all the media attention in the Philippines.
“But we must forget about Vietnam and focus on (Burma).”
The Burmese booters carry a threat, judging from their fighting performance in the 1-2 loss to Singapore last Sunday.
Despite the criticism from Vietnam coach Henrique Calisto about their cautious style, the Filipinos intend to rely on a more defensive 4-4-2 formation, leaving Ian Araneta and Philip Placer Younghusband up front.
“We’re just playing to our strengths,” said Palami. “If we play the way we did against Vietnam, we are sure to win.”
Chieffy Caligdong has recovered from a knee injury and may start in the place of Roel Gener, whose workmanlike performance on the left wing earned plaudits from the coaching staff here.
Simon McMenemy, the Philippines’ British coach, said the squad is not looking past Burma.
“It’s very difficult to try to stay grounded after that win against Vietnam because things like that don’t happen very often,” said McMenemy.
“As much as we’re elated, we’re not looking further than the next game. (Burma) will give us problems because they have nothing to lose.”
“It’s a massive game, even bigger than the Vietnam game,” said Filipino-British defender Rob Dazo Gier, referring to the clash against Myanmar, which also absorbed a heavy 1-7 defeat to Vietnam.
“We will throw away all our hard work here if we lose.”
NAM DINH, VIETNAM—Still coming to grips with its newfound fame, the Philippine team looks to achieve another milestone when it battles Burma (Myanmar) Wednesday night in its final group match in the AFF Suzuki Cup at the Hien Truong Stadium here.
The Filipinos, whose stock rose incredibly following a 2-0 conquest of defending champion Vietnam, will be gunning for a first semifinal appearance in Southeast Asia’s most prestigious football competition in the 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. in Manila) duel.
A draw against the already eliminated Burmese side would be enough for the Filipinos, the Group B leaders with four points, to advance to the last four.
But team manager Dan Palami expects no let-up from the squad, especially now that the team has received unprecedented attention back home.
“The players understand that this is their chance of a lifetime to do something for the sport in the country,” said Palami. “We want to grab this opportunity.”
A win against Myanmar in this bustling city some 90 kilometers southeast of the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi would give the Philippines top spot in Group B.
Singapore, level on points with the Philippines, and Vietnam, which has three points, play in a simultaneous match at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.
If Singapore wins, the Filipinos are sure to progress as the No. 2 squad, even if they bow to Burma.
If Vietnam prevails, the Filipinos must finish with a better goal difference over Singapore to advance.
The worst-case scenario for the Filipinos would be a loss to Burma and a draw by Vietnam and Singapore. If that happens, Singapore will top the group with five points and Vietnam will advance as No. 2 squad because of its superior goal difference over the Filipinos.
Making the semifinals was never in the squad’s imagination until that historic victory against Vietnam last Sunday, and skipper Aly Borromeo has moved to temper the excitement from their achievement.
“It’s been surreal the past two days,” said Borromeo, noting the avalanche of congratulatory messages that the team has been receiving on social networking site Facebook and all the media attention in the Philippines.
“But we must forget about Vietnam and focus on (Burma).”
The Burmese booters carry a threat, judging from their fighting performance in the 1-2 loss to Singapore last Sunday.
Despite the criticism from Vietnam coach Henrique Calisto about their cautious style, the Filipinos intend to rely on a more defensive 4-4-2 formation, leaving Ian Araneta and Philip Placer Younghusband up front.
“We’re just playing to our strengths,” said Palami. “If we play the way we did against Vietnam, we are sure to win.”
Chieffy Caligdong has recovered from a knee injury and may start in the place of Roel Gener, whose workmanlike performance on the left wing earned plaudits from the coaching staff here.
Simon McMenemy, the Philippines’ British coach, said the squad is not looking past Burma.
“It’s very difficult to try to stay grounded after that win against Vietnam because things like that don’t happen very often,” said McMenemy.
“As much as we’re elated, we’re not looking further than the next game. (Burma) will give us problems because they have nothing to lose.”
“It’s a massive game, even bigger than the Vietnam game,” said Filipino-British defender Rob Dazo Gier, referring to the clash against Myanmar, which also absorbed a heavy 1-7 defeat to Vietnam.
“We will throw away all our hard work here if we lose.”