‘We were very unlucky,’ says Indonesia coach

AFF Suzuki Cup game between Philippines and Indonesia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

AFF Suzuki Cup game between Philippines and Indonesia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

BOCAUE – Indonesia just didn’t have enough “luck” to pull it through.

That’s what Indonesia coach Alfred Riedl thought on the heels of the Garuda’s 2-2 stalemate against the Philippines Tuesday in the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup at Philippine Sports Stadium here.

“We’re very unlucky, but it’s football and it is what it is,” he said.

With Indonesia going strong coming off the halftime break, Riedl rued the team’s missed chances in the second half.

“We had lots of chances left and right. I think we should have won the match with a one goal difference,” he said.

Andik Vermansah, Evan Dimas, and Ferdinan Alfred all had close attempts in the second half but failed to find the back of the net as the Garuda and the Azkals split points in the match.

Riedl now looks at the tall task ahead, with Indonesia facing off against Singapore on Friday for a chance to the next phase.

“We have now one point and it will be very difficult for us to go to the next round,” he said. “Our chances is minimized, but from the power of the game and the class of the team, Thailand is the favorite against the Philippines and our game against Singapore is going to be 50-50.”

Riedl ended: “We will do things to win the match, but first, we’ll analyze how they play. I think it’s too early to talk tactics on Friday’s match.”

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