By JONAS TERRADO
December 17, 2010, 7:00pm
Game Sunday (Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
8p.m. — Indonesia vs Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine football team made a defensive lapse in the first half and paid dearly for it as it dropped a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to Indonesia Thursday in the first leg of their 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Playing in front of some 80,000 fans that included Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Filipino booters showed steely resolve and played almost at par with the mighty Indonesians.
However, an apparent miscommunication between goalie Neil Etheridge and fullback Ray Jonsson allowed Indon striker Cristiano Gonzales to head in the solitary goal in the 32nd minute and give the hosts the upper hand in the two-match series.
It started when Oktovianus Maniani made a cross from near midfield which was really intended for Gonzales.
Etheridge, who played brilliantly in the team’s stunning 2-0 win over Vietnam, left the goal area, feeling he can intercept the pass although Gonzales was already guarded by Ray Jonsson.
But the ball sailed past Etheridge’s hand and Gonzales, a Uruguayan who became a naturalized Indonesian, easily made the header that found the left side of the net to the delight of the partisan crowd.
The Philippines had its own chance, too.
Known as the Azkals, the Filipinos saw an opportunity in the 74th minute when James Younghusband came through with a tough bicycle kick with Indonesian keeper Markus Haris Maulana far from the penalty area.
But Indonesian defender Hamka Hamzah deflected the ball away with a header that virtually ended any Philippine threat.
Despite the defeat, the Filipinos still earned the respect of the Indonesians for showing great resolve by yielding only one goal.
The last time they fought in the same tournament in 2002, the Indons romped to a 13-1 win.
The winner of the semifinal affair will be determined through the total number of goals scored by both teams in the two matches played.
The PH booters can also win by at least one goal which will force a tie.
And that will force an extra time to settle the outcome. But if no team scores in the extension, then a penalty shootout will settle the deadlock and the semis win.
The Indonesians were designated as the “road team” after the Filipinos were denied of a chance to host a home game at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City after Mari Martinez, the ousted as president of the Philippine Football Federation who still enjoys FIFA recognition, agreed to hold the match in Jakarta
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