AFF Cup: Indonesia 1-0 Philippines (2-0 Agg.) - Gonzales Fires Favourites Into Final

solitary Cristian Gonzales goal secured Indonesia's place in the 2010 AFF Cup final, after their 1-0 second leg and 2-0 aggregate semi final win over the Philippines.

Both matches in the tie were played at the Gelora Karno Stadium in Jakarta after the Philippines were unable to provide a venue up to international standards.

After a fairytale campaign, the circumstances and opponent proved too much for Simon McMenemy's men, who surpassed expectations by simply getting out of their group.

Indonesia were never really troubled during the second leg - officially their home tie - and Gonzales' third goal of the tournament just before the half time break proved the killer blow.

The visitors couldn't put the favourites under concerted pressure save for a few half chances and efforts from range, with Chris Greatwich sent off during the final minutes for a second bookable offence.

Malaysia await Indonesia in the two-legged final this weekend after they beat Vietnam on aggregate in the other semi final.

Good Neutral Proud 'Garuda in My Chest'

Last month, millions of people in Indonesia to sing the song 'Garuda in My Chest' with gusto. This song accompanies the Indonesian national team match at AFF Cup 2010. Group Band Neutral never expected the song would be as famous as this.

When the team struggled in the second semi-final match between Indonesia vs Philippines, Neutral Band are also being performed at Jamboree, Cibubur. 'Garuda in My Chest "became the ultimate song Neutral at Millennial Concert Band Indosat, Sunday, December 19, 2010 night.

"This song is for you all, we are proud of the Indonesian nation that is currently good football," said Good.

After the concert told of his pride Good song 'Garuda didadaku' became the anthem for soccer fans cheer squad.

"Proud and shock really. We is not never thought the song 'Garuda didadaku' this could be more fitting item ball season. I am touched by people in the stadium singing the song 'Garuda in My Chest' in unison," said Good.

In a charity concert that took place 17 to 19 December 2010, the bearers of punk rock band managed to siphon attention of music lovers homeland. Thousands of spectators who packed BUPERTA Cibubur enjoy the song that brought the band who guarded by Good (Vocal), Coki (guitar) and Eno (drums) this.

Neutral opened the concert with the song I Love U and the Battle of Hearts. All the audience joined the singing two songs that had success through the RBT.

After two songs, the Neutral dial with the song Mad Love and Fly. Throckmorton also played guitar with the high skill that makes the audience into the spirit of waiting for the last song.

cmenemy: Match the Extraordinary!

Hope the Philippine national team to step into the final round must eventually disappear after re-submission of Indonesia 1-0 in Cup semi-final second leg AFF Suzuki Cup 2010. Players naturalization Cristian Gonzalez became the face of Indonesian rescue by scoring mere puppet to Neil Etherington's goal in minute 41.

Despite losing, but it remained a British coach praised his foster children in the game.

"This game is superb," he said in the media.

"Once again we are undergoing a great game. Indonesia had a fantastic supporter, always supportive from beginning to end the game. "

The Philippines actually got some golden opportunities in the second round, including through Phillip Youghusbands and Cristopher Greatwitch. However, Mark Harison able to perform brilliantly in Indonesia under the crossbar.

"We really wanted to step into the finals, but we faced a great opponent. Whatever the outcome, this is good for us pencapaia could reach the semi-finals, "he concluded.

Malaysia storm into final

Hanoi: Malaysia stormed into the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time in 14 years after holding Vietnam to a goalless draw in the second leg of their semi-final on Saturday.

Malaysia won the first leg at home 2-0 and did not allow Henrique Calisto’s charges to make a way past their defence.

Vietnam’s Pham Thanh Luong was sent off for a second bookable offence in 72nd minute, making it more difficult to achieve a three-goal victory needed to secure a place in the final.

The home side's problems were exasperated further when Phan Van Tai Em was taken off injured early in the game, to be replaced by Le Tan Tai.

Malaysia coach K. Rajagopal was optimistic of winning the title.

"Looking at the situation now I'm very optimistic," said the former Selangor coach. "When we won against Vietnam at home I was very confident.

"The boys have progressed, they are confident and I don't need to motivate them. This is what they have wanted."
source:the-afc

Gonzales shines in Indonesia victory

Jakarta: Indonesia edged past the Philippines by a solitary goal in the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Christian Gonzales capitalized on a defensive mix-up when goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and defender Ray Jonsson had got in each other’s way in the 32nd minute and the Uruguay-born striker headed the ball home.

Indonesia controlled the proceedings throughout the game but squandered many goalscoring opportunities.

The Philippines managed to make sporadic counter-attacks which went begging for finishing touches.

With this result, the Philippines need at least a two-goal difference victory to gain a berth in the final when the two sides meet again in the second leg on Sunday.

semifinals of AFF Suzuki Cup 2010

JAKARTA - The Philippines national team will exert maximum force when facing Indonesia in the first semifinal match AFF Cup 2010. These comments were made by their coach Simon McMenemy.

The Azkals in this case do not target the victory. They will only try to show the best in the field.

"I did not say want to win, but players must perform optimally to achieve the best results. I want the player to deploy 110 percent capacity as it did in the previous game," exclaimed McManemy in a press conference ahead of the match at Sultan Hotel on Wednesday (12/15/2010 .)

In the preliminary round game the Philippines to apply the style to survive. Had been criticized, relating how that, McMenemy chose not to bother. He admitted that he will continue practicing the same thing when facing Indonesia. Moreover, the faction opposed to receive full support from fans.

"I do not change the style of play. We will be playing in front of 80 thousand supporters of the opponent. I think the key we have to keep playing patience," he continued.

Asked about Indonesia's most alert player, a British man was evasive. He felt all the players are equally dangerous.

"Indonesia is a strong team, their players are also rich in experience and talent. So I can say is watch out for all the players deserve," due diligence. (MSY)

La Liga wrap: Goals flow for Barca, Real

Barcelona and Real Madrid both recorded comfortable victories in La Liga on Sunday, while Athletic Bilbao upset Espanyol.
Barca were at their best in a 5-0 demolition job of Real Sociedad which keeps them top of the league while Real Madrid remain within touching distance after they were rarely troubled in a 3-1 win at Real Zaragoza.
The table-toppers eased to their victory which was kick-started when David Villa made the most of a regulation chance after Pedro picked him out on the left in the first 10 minutes.
Pedro and then Lionel Messi went close, with the Argentine having his shot cleared off the line despite rounding Real Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, before Barca doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.
With Andres Iniesta through on goal, poor keeping from Bravo allowed the Ballon D'Or nominee to shoot and score at the near post.
The third goal of the match put the result beyond doubt, with a sublime move that saw Messi and Daniel Alves find each other three times, ending in a Messi goal after a stylish finish just two minutes into the second half.
With the victory already sealed, the hosts eased up but late goals to Messi - from a sublime solo effort - and an injury-time strike to substitute Bojan wrapped up the points.
Messi's double saw him take his season tally to 17 goals in La Liga - equal with Cristiano Ronaldo.
In Zaragoza, Jose Mourinho's side continued to keep the pressure on Barca with another assured performance.
Mesut Oezil's fourth of the season after 15 minutes gave the giants a lead which they never relinquished, and goals after 44 and 47 minutes from Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria respectively made sure of the points.
Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho fouled Nicolas Bertolo in the area after 53 minutes to give the hosts a penalty, which was tucked away by Gabi nine minutes into the second half.
But Real Zaragoza - who sit bottom - were never expected to mount too much of a challenge for Mourinho's men who were in cruise control for the last half-hour.
In other matches, mid-table Athletic Bilbao came from a goal down to beat fourth-placed Espanyol 2-1 at San Mames courtesy of strikes from Spain international Fernando Llorente and substitute David Lopez.
Goals from David Trezeguet and Royston Drenthe helped promoted Hercules beat relegation-threatened Malaga 4-1 at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez.

Racing Santander pulled four points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win away to Mallorca, while Sporting Gijon remain second-bottom after a 1-1 draw at home to Levante.