I

ndonesia can'€™t afford to put in another lackluster performance when it takes on the spirited Philippines in their second match in Group A of the AFF Suzuki Cup soccer championship, because fortune does not come twice.

During the opening game against Vietnam, Alfred Riedl'€™s side was a poor second to its host, with the players chasing their opponents'€™ shadows throughout the game. Their nervousness caused them to play recklessly, with their passes and crosses easily snuffed out by the Vietnamese.

On the other hand, the Vietnamese players managed to demonstrate their creativity, with fluid passes creating a flurry of goal chances. The Red-and-White team was forced to camp deep in its own half.

Indonesia'€™s strategy of clearing the ball to Sergio van Dijk up front did not work, as the Dutch-born attacker was closely marked by defenders.

Indonesia forced a 2-2 draw but both goals against Vietnam came somewhat fortunately. Zulham Zamrun capitalized on a weak back pass by Dinh Tien Thanh to equalize after Vietnam had taken the lead through Que Ngoc Hai.

Indonesia must be on the alert against the spirited Philippines, who are on a high after thumping Laos 4-1 in their opening game, and must be more creative in order to open up more goal chances. Riedl said he had prepared his team better than the previous game.

'€œWe will push for a win in tomorrow'€™s game to open more chances to advance to the semifinals,'€ he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Riedl may opt to include Firman Utina in his starting line-up. The Persib Bandung player had a positive impact when he came off the bench against Vietnam to replace Manahati Lestusen in the 70th minute, making a significant contribution to Indonesia'€™s second goal.

Firman said he would not object to being on the bench. '€œEven if I play just for a short while, I will try to make the best of it,'€ he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, inspired by national hero Manny Pacquiao'€™s latest boxing victory, hopes to land a knockout blow on Indonesia.

Coach Thomas Dooley and the Azkals'€™ squad reportedly watched a telecast of Pacquiao retaining his WBO welterweight world title by outfighting Chris Algieri on Sunday.

The Philippines will march into the semifinals for the third straight time if it beats Indonesia at My Dinh Stadium and captain Phil Younghusband said the team would be motivated by Pacquiao'€™s triumph on the world sporting stage.

'€œManny is someone all the players look up to, the whole country looks up to. The whole of the Philippines watches his fights and he is someone who inspires us to get to where we want to be,'€ said Younghusband as quoted on tournament website affsuzukicup.com.

'€œHe is world champion, he is the best in the world and he is someone all the players, coaches and the whole Filipino football community admire '€” that is where we want to be, playing against the best.'€

Indonesia has won all five of its previous AFF Suzuki Cup meetings with the Philippines but Riedl waved aside suggestions from Dooley that the Indonesia team would start as favorite.

'€œHe [Dooley] is a smart coach and gave us the role of the favorites. It is nice of him but I think it is a 50-50 match tomorrow,'€ said the Austrian.