Azkals seek AFF semis vs hostile Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines — After the slip-up in 2016, the Philippine Azkals seek a redeeming semifinal stint in the ongoing Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.

The Azkals, who boosted their bid with a 1-1 draw with holder Thailand Wednesday in Bacolod, gun for the clincher tonight against already eliminated Indonesia at the cavernous Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

A win in the 7 p.m. fixture (8:p.m. in Manila) gives the Pinoy booters (seven points through three games) a hassle-free advance regardless of what happens in the other Group B match-up between fellow seven-pointer Thailand War Elephants  and third-running Singapore (six points) over in Bangkok.

A draw with the off-form Indons (only three points) may also suffice if the Lions won’t get maximum points versus the powerhouse Thais.

“We will go for the win and like we always do when we step out on that field, we will give it our 100 percent,” said skipper Phil Younghusband.

The Azkals return to the 80,000-seater GBK for the first time since they were forced to play their “home” leg there in their breakthrough semifinal appearance versus the Indons in 2010. 

“It’s nice to come to Indonesia, the fans are so passionate about their football and it’s amazing to see,” said Younghusband, one of the few mainstays left from the history-making 2010 batch.