SEA GAMES 2011: PHILIPPINES AIM FOR TEN POINTS

MANILA (28 Oct 2011) – Other than taking it one game at a time, the chief coach of the Philippines, Michael Weiss is aiming to win just ten points from the group stage of the SEA Games next month.

The Filis are placed in Group B of the biennial championship against 2009 runners-up Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Timor Leste and Brunei.

“If we get 10 points (from three wins and a draw) most likely we will qualify for the next round,” said Weiss.

“There is no aspect in playing against Vietnam. They are one of the five real opponents. We might lose 7-0 but still have a chance of advancing. If we beat all the other teams then we are through.”

However, Weiss was quick to caution that while the plan is to win ten points, it is also imperative that they take it one game at a time.

“We will take it one game at a time, one step at a time,” he added.

“There should be no speculations for gold, silver, finals, blah, blah, blah – that’s stupid. It’s just dreaming and nothing about the real football world, just too much dreaming.

“It will be one game at a time, one strategy for each game at a time.”

Weiss admitted that their first game in the group against Vietnam will be tough, compounded further by the fact that they will have to play with four players under ‘jet lag condition.’

The four players concerned are Filipino-Spanish defender Carlos Alberto de Murga, Fil-Germans Roland Mueller and Manny Ott and Fil-Belgian Jeffrey Christaens.


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