PETALING JAYA: Hosts Indonesia, having already sealed their place in the semi-finals, can decide the fate of the other three teams in Group A of the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) championships.
Coach Alfred Riedl’s side are safely through to the last four after picking up an unassailable lead at the top of the standings in the group with six points from two straight wins. Three-time winners Thailand are next with two points, followed by Malaysia and Laos with one each.
Thailand seem to have the best chance to grab the second semi-final spot from the group because they will be playing Indonesia in their last group match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta tomorrow.
As Indonesia have already qualified for the last four, they may take their foot off the pedal and allow Thailand to get the win they need to go through.
However, should Indonesia field their strongest line-up and hold or beat the Thais, it will open the door for either Malaysia or Laos, who meet at the same time at the Jaka Baring Stadium in Palembang, to sneak into the last four.
National coach K. Rajagopal said that having gone through two absorbing matches “I believe we are in with a chance to make the semi-finals”.
“What is important is for the team to collect three points against Laos. I have told the players to accept whatever the outcome of the Thailand-Indonesia match. As far as I am concerned, we’ll have a go at Laos,” said Rajagopal in a telephone interview from Jakarta yesterday.
He also tried to look on the bright side, saying that Indonesia would not want to disappoint their fans by losing their last group game against Thailand.
“I am sure the coach is a professional and the last thing he wants is to see his team lose in front of their home fans. We have got to be positive and look forward to our match against Laos,” said Rajagopal.
He also explained that there was not much his team could do in the 0-0 draw against Thailand on Saturday.
“I am not offering excuses but my back four are first-timers and to come off with a point against Thailand is a decent result. At least, we are still in it and, hopefully, we can get our first win against Laos on Tuesday,” said Rajagopal.
Source: The Star
0 comments:
Post a Comment