December 2010, The AFF Suzuki Cup dreams ended for the Philippines as Indonesia hosted the semi-finals on both Home-Away games winning 2-0 on aggregate.
The Philippines could not host the home game due to an sub-par pitch at the RMS.
The Azkals who were having a historical run at the cup suffered heart breaking loses that would only propel an entire basketball nation to swivel a head and take notice of football.
A year and half, more training days / games, 3rd place win at the AFC Challenge Cup, new sponsors and bringing Filipino football players from all over the world later...we have now reached another game day vs Indonesia.
Indonesia will be fighting for a winning streak Vs the Philippines that has never been broken.
The Azkals on the other hand are to take a periodical quiz in front of screaming Filipino supporters that are all hoping for a win & vengeance.
Indonesia whopped the Philippines in 2002, with a 13-1 triumph at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, but this is entirely a different squad that includes Filipino footballers from across the world.
Leading the Indons are Dutch Born Bachdim and an ever threatening Okto, while the Philippines will be have The Younghusbands back after missing an earlier friendly with Malaysia, Neil Etheridge at the post, Jerry Lucena & Dennis Cagara on the pitch and a much more solid line up of Chieffy Caligdong, Paul Mulders, Manny Ott, Rob Gier, Angel Guirado, Jason Sabio, Juan Luis, Carli, Misagh and the strong others.
Probable Starting Line-Up The PHILIPPINES Etheridge Carli, Sabio, Gier, Cagara J. Younghusband, Lucena, Mulders, Caligdong P. Younghusband, Guirado INDONESIA Markus Ardiles, Wahyu Wiji, Abdulrahman, Nopendi Bayaw, Mofu, Okto Patrich, Bachdim, Bonai Azkalsunited.com recently asked it's readers via the AU Fan Pulse : Who is the Philippine Azkals' best football rival? 1. Indonesia - 41.18 % 2. Malaysia - 23.53 % 3. Singapore / Thailand - 11.76 % The Match tonight kicks off at 7PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. |