Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia will play Vietnam in the semifinal of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki 2016 championship on December 3 at the Pakansari stadium, Cibinong sub-district, West Java.
The Indonesian soccer squad (Timnas) "Garuda" ensured a place in the semifinal after beating Singapore 2-1 (0-1 at half time) at the Ridzal Memorial Stadium, Manila, the Philippines, on Friday (November 25), and emerging runners-up in group A, with four points. Thailand topped group A with nine points after beating Philippines 1-0 the same day.
Indonesia's Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi congratulated the Timnas on their victory and their progress into the semifinal.
Indonesia's football governing body has decided that the Pakansari stadium is the appropriate venue for the first match of the two-leg semifinal.
"Yes, we will use the Pakansari stadium to face Vietnam," said Ade Wellington, secretary general of the All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) in Jakarta on Monday (November 28). He added that Pakansari is a new stadium with a seating capacity of 30 thousand.
The second semi-final between the two teams will be played in Vietnam on December 7. Vietnam is winner of group B.
In the match against Singapore, the Timnas were down 0-1 at the end of the first half after Khairul Amri (19) put Singapore ahead in the 26th minute.
However, in the second half, the Timnas bounced back and took the lead with two goals, the first by Andik Vermansyah (21) in the 62nd minute, and the second by Stefano Lilipaly in the 85th minute. The Timnas eventually won 2-1.
The Timnas had many chances to score goals in the first half, but were thwarted in the efforts by Singapore's goalkeeper Hassan Abdullah Sunny.
The Timnas squad for the match against Singapore included Kurnia Meiga Hermansyah (goal keeper), Beny Wahyudi, Muhammad Abduh Lestaluhu, Evan Dimas Darmono, Boaz T Erwin Solossa (captain), Stefano J Lilipaly, Bayu Pradana Andriatmoko, R Yanto Basna, Rizki R Pora, Fachruddin Wahyudi Aryanto and Andik Vermansyah.
The Singapore squad comprised Hassan Abdullah Sunny (goal keeper), M Syakir Hamzah, Madhu M Mohana, M Faritz Abdul Hammed, Muhammad Faris Ramli, Harris Harun (kapten), Daniel Mark Bennet, M Khairul Amri, M Safuwan Baharuddin, M Yasir Hanapi and Anumanthan Mohan Kumar.
In their previous matches, the Indonesian team lost to Thailand 4-2, and drew 2-2 with the Philippines.
On Saturday (November 19) the Timnas wilted under Thailand's onslaught, and lost 2-4 at the Philippine Sports Stadium, Bulacan, the Philippines.
After being down 0-2 at the end of the first half, the Timnas leveled the score early in the second half.
The Thais, however, were able to keep their rhythm going, and D Teerasil scored twice in the three minutes of extra time to seal the match for his side.
Thailand's N Peerapat scored the first goal in the fourth minute. In the 36th minute, C Chanatip scored Thailand's second goal, the "suicide" goal, thanks to the failure of Indonesia's defender Fachruddin.
For Indonesia, Boas Salossa scored the first goal and Lerby the second.
The championship began on November 19 and is slated to end on December 17. Eight teams are taking part in the tournament.
Twenty seven thousand tickets have been prepared (sold to spectators), and directly organized by the AFF team for the semifinal, Yeyen Tumena, the chairman of the semifinal organizing committee, said.
"The ticket price for VIP is Rp300 thousand, category one is Rp200 thousand, and the category two Rp100 thousand," Wellington, the PSSI secretary general, revealed.
PSSI will give a bonus to the Timnas if they defeat Vietnam, Wellington added, but gave no further details.
The bonus is intended to show PSSI's appreciation of the hard work put in by the players and the team management.
Earlier, the Timnas coach Alfred Riedl warned that Vietnam was a good team. "I see they have speed and good technique," he reminded.
Many Indonesian soccer fans are fervently hoping that the Timnas can win the biennial AFF championship. (WDY)
