RI, Thailand expect rough going in semifinal<\/p>\n
Associated Press, Bacolod City<\/p>\n
National soccer coach Peter Withe is taking two things as a
\ngiven for Friday's semifinal against Thailand, which is seeking
\nits seventh straight Games gold.<\/p>\n
First, that it will be a rough-and-ready physical encounter.
\nAnd, second, that Vietnam will await in the final.<\/p>\n
\"We'll just have to see who faces Vietnam (in the final),\"
\nWithe was quoted as saying by The Associated Press of Vietnam's
\nmatch against Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Vietnam take on Malaysia.<\/p>\n
The biennial event has been dominated by Thailand over the
\npast decade. It has also grabbed a clutch of regional tournament
\nwins when they were coached by Withe.<\/p>\n
As far as opposing coaches go, not many have the kind of
\nknowledge the former England striker has on the Thais.<\/p>\n
He led Thailand for five years until he was fired in late
\n2003, and nurtured more than half of current coach Chanvit
\nPalajivin's side here in the southern Philippine city.<\/p>\n
And Withe feels the inside knowledge could play into
\nIndonesia's favor.<\/p>\n
\"There are many players there that I've coached,\" said Withe.
\n\"There are about 14 or 15 players here that I brought into the
\nside.\"<\/p>\n
But he will be without first-team players Agus Indra
\nKurniawan, Mahyadi Panggabean and Ledi Utomo for the match, who
\nare all suspended.<\/p>\n
Phalajivin said Indonesia approach matches \"like a rugby
\ngame,\" a statement which clearly flustered Withe.<\/p>\n
\"It's a contact sport, but I don't go out there telling my
\nplayers to foul,\" said Withe.<\/p>\n
Vietnam meanwhile, goes into the semifinals well-rested.<\/p>\n
Coach Alfred Riedl had one early scare when defender Nguyen
\nMinh Duc went down with a rib injury in a group match against
\nLaos, but there are no other fitness worries or suspensions,
\nmaking them clear odds-on favorites with at least one regional
\nbetting house in Singapore.
\nMalaysia though, feels differently.<\/p>\n
\"We just have to make sure we take responsibility on the
\npitch,\" said defender Ronny Harun. \"And stick to the game plan
\nset out.\"<\/p>\n
The gold-medal and bronze-medal playoff matches are Sunday.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-thailand-expect-rough-going-in-semifinal-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }