Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia wishes that no penalty shootout will happen in the second leg of the semifinal round against the Philippines at the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup 2010 here on Sunday evening.
"We wish it won`t happen," assistant coach Wolfgang Pikal said to newsmen here on Saturday.
He said however that he had already prepared the executors in case it happened. "Certainly we are ready in case that happens," he said.Indonesia beat the Philippines 1-0 in the first leg on Thursday.
Regarding the Philippine team, Wolfgang said his players had certainly anticipated the Philippine players who generally are higher and bigger than them.
"The players certainly have made anticipations with regard to their posture and play. We must be 150 percent ready," he said.
Regarding Firman Utina and Irfan Bachdim he said they were not yet fully fit but they still have time to prepare themselves to perform maximally.
"They will be fit tomorrow following the second therapy," he said.
Regarding the players that would be fielded on Sunday he said it would be chief coach Alfred Riedl that would decide it.
On Saturday the Indonesian national team conducted light exercises in preparations for the match on Sunday and would also hold evaluation sessions Saturday evening.
The Philippine national team meanwhile did not conduct special preparations to meet
Indonesia on Sunday
"We are relaxing today. Our players are swimming or shopping," coach Simon McMenemy said.He predicted the match on Sunday would be tight the whole 90 minutes.
Vietnam on the otherhand would meet Malaysia in the second leg of the semifinals in Hanoi, Vietnam, to proceed to the final round, after it was beaten 2-0 in the first leg.
As in the first leg tens of thousands of spectators would flock to Bung Karno Stadium which has a capacity of more than 80,000 people, to watch the match between Indonesia and the Philippines on Sunday.
Even President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attended the second leg of the seminfinals. Football is one of the most polular sports in Indonesia. (*)
