By Les Tan/Red Sports
Video copyright of World Sport Group
Hanoi, Wednesday, December 8, 2010 — The Philippines qualified for the semi-finals of the ASEAN Football Championship (AFF Suzuki Cup) for the first time ever when they drew 0-0 with Myanmar in their final group game to finish second in Group B.
However, the Philippines will bizarrely have to play their ‘home’ leg of the two-legged semi-final in Jakarta against Indonesia because they have no suitable stadium for football in their country which meets the organisers’ standards.
The Philippines are surprise qualifiers at the expense of favourites Singapore who flopped and finished third. The Philippines drew 1-1 with Singapore in their first game and then followed it up with a 2-0 upset win over home team Vietnam.
The Philippines’ performance have made football fans in the region stand up and notice.
“Certain circles have been a little bit disrespectful to us in our preparation and we hope these two results prove how good we are and hopefully we get a bit more of the respect that we deserve now,” said British-born Filipino Robert Gier, before the final group game against Myanmar. Gier currently plays for English non-league side Ascot United.
The achievements of the football team even led to their president, Benigno Aquino, issuing a statement of support.
“President Aquino conveys his congratulations to the Philippine team’s victory (over Vietnam) at the AFF Suzuki Cup in Vietnam,” said Filipino presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
“These victories (in boxing and the recent Asian Games) affirm yet again the Filipino’s drive to excel, noting further that the Philippine team’s triumph in the AFF Suzuki Cup signifies an enthusiasm to join the community of nations in the international arena of football,” added Lacierda.
After the draw with Myanmar sealed qualification, their English coach Simon McMenemy was very pleased.
“It’s amazing, just amazing because of all of the hard work we have put in. The (Filipino fans) expected us to win but I’m just so pleased that the boys are going back to Manila as semi-finalists,” said McMenemy on the affsuzukicup.com website, before he found out that Manila would not be able to host the home leg.
The Philippines will now face the daunting task of playing both their semi-final matches in the intimidating atmosphere of Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The first semi-final is scheduled for Thursday, December 16th.
| COUNTRY | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIETNAM | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 6 |
| PHILIPPINES | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| SINGAPORE | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| MYANMAR | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 1 |
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