Azkals ‘best game’ blanks Indonesia

HANOI—Chalk the 4-nil destruction of Indonesia Tuesday night here as one of the finest moments of the Philippine Azkals, who advanced to the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals for the third straight tournament.

While the “Miracle of Hanoi” in 2010 ranks high in terms of impact and significance, the victory at My Dinh Stadium that ended an 80-year winless spell over Indonesia put focus on a quality performance by a Philippine team that hardly looked intimidating in the lead-up to the tournament.

This was something that manager Dan Palami had envisioned when he took over the team in 2010: a side playing attractive football with fluid passing and clever movement and hustling when it lost possession.

“That was the best game that I’ve seen the Azkals play ever since I took over management in 2010,” said Palami.

“Sometimes, it makes me ask the question whether we were really that good or they (Indonesians) were just bad. But you saw how we played the ball and the possession we had and our 81 percent accuracy in passing.”

Indonesia coach Alfred Reidl said the Azkals’ fitness proved to be the difference against his team. “What you saw was a fit team against an unfit team,” the Austrian coach said.

Meanwhile, the Azkals are torn between the two stadiums that are being eyed to host the home leg of the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.

The 12,000-seater RMS in Manila has been the home of the Azkals since it was refurbished in 2011. Early this year, an all-weather pitch was also installed in the stadium operated by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Located in Bocuae, Bulacan, the Philippine Sports Stadium can accommodate up to 25,000 spectators and has a natural grass, which some of the Filipino players prefer playing in because they are less prone to injury compared to the artificial pitch.

“It all depends of course,” said Palami. “I think playing in the new Philippine Stadium would be a great experience especially if the fans would go there, although it would not be as accessible as Rizal Memorial. But buses could be made available for fans just in case.”

Palami said World Sport Group, the marketing arm of the Suzuki Cup, has already inspected the Philippine Sports Stadium.

“It’s been awhile since 20,000 fans gathered together cheering for the team,” Palami said.