POC bats for Football match between PH Azkals, Indonesia in Bacolod City

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Olympic Committee appealed on Thursday for the holding of a semifinal football match of the AFF Suzuki Cup between the Philippines and Indonesians in the country.

POC chair Monico Puentevella made the plea after the Asian Football Federation reportedly canceled the hosting of the Philippines due to the lack of a playing venue capable of meeting the Cup’s standards.

In his letter to Suzuki Cup Competitions Committee chair Ravy Khek, Puentevella said that the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City could fit the bill and added it had hosted several international tournaments in the past.

The Azkals

Panaad played host to the football competitions of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Asian Women's Championship and Asian Under-16 Boys Championship, all of which were successfully held under the auspices of the Asian Football Confederation and the AFF.

"It is a rare opportunity for our country's football team to enter the semifinals of the prestigious Suzuki Cup,'' said Puentevella.

"We hope for your consideration to push through with this long-awaited moment in the history of this game in our country,'' the former Bacolod solon added.

The PH booters advanced to the Final Four after playing Myanmar to a scoreless draw. The Filipinos placed second in Group B behind defending champion Vietnam, which they defeated 2-0 in the elimination round held in Nam Dinh City, Vietnam.

Vietnam will face Group A second-placer Malaysia in the semifinals while the Philippines takes on Group A top qualifier Indonesia in the home-and-away semifinal format.

"We assure you that we will do everything to make sure that the game will be fully appreciated not only in our country but in Asia as a whole,'' said Puentevella.

The AFF said the Philippines would not be able to host one of the semis matches due to the absence of a venue that could keep up with the AFF Suzuki Cup standards.

An AFF statement said that none of the proposed venues in the Philippines reached the required standard for hosting the tournament.

According to reports, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) was made to choose between playing one leg
of their semifinal encounter against Indonesia in a neutral ground or hold both games on enemy territory.

The first leg of the semifinal tie is scheduled on December 16 before Jakarta plays host on December 19 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.