Solo flight: Azkals – Indonesia preview

On Wednesday the Philippines plays its third FIFA International friendly of the year against Indonesia in the central Java city of Solo, also known as Surakarta.

The Philippine Mens Football team is no stranger to Solo. In 1984 the team played two games there as part of an Asian qualifier. The Pinoys lost 1-0 to Indonesia and 3-2 to Bangladesh.

In one of those games one player, a certain Mariano “Nonong” Araneta scored a goal that was disallowed. To this day Araneta, insists it was a wrong call and the goal should have stood.

Now the PFF president, Araneta hopes the Azkals have better luck this time.

Finally coach Hans Michael Weiss is bringing the young players that the team desperately needs going forward.

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U23 centerbacks Boiboi Fernandez and Amani Aguinaldo are both making the trip, as is the extravagantly gifted Paolo Bugas of FEU and Loyola.

With Javier Patino out injured and Josh Beloya unavailable, Weiss has selected Jinggoy Valmayor as another option at striker. Valmayor has won two UAAP titles with the UP Maroon Booters and plays in the UFL for Pachanga Diliman. The San Carlos city sniper could struggle with the pace of the International game but no one can question his lethal finishing.

One of the gravest injustices of Filipino Football has finally been rectified with the selection of defender Jerry Barbaso to the Azkals. The Dipolognon is one of the quickest players in the Philippines and has been rock-solid for Global in the UFL, helping shore up the right side of their defense. Barbaso is a key component of the Global back four that allowed the fewest goals of any side (12) in the UFL's top flight last season.

The afro-haired Barbaso may not yet have a full Azkals cap, but has been getting plenty of international experience with Global this year. He started all three President's Cup matches in May and last month helped his team advance to the semis in the Singapore Cup against Brunei DPMM.

Barbaso was cruelly left off the U23 roster at the last minute in the 2011 SEA Games after practicing with the team for months. In my opinion it was he and not Manny Ott who should have started at right back when the Philippines won 1-0 against Myanmar in a friendly earlier in the year.

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There could be youth between the sticks as well. Green Archers United Globe's Patrick Deyto is listed, but Weiss could favor the more experienced Ed Sacapano in goal, especially in a hostile environment.

After a two-year absence, central midfielder Mark Hartmann, newly signed to Global from Meralco, is back on the senior national team. His vision and creativity could be a game-changer against the Indonesians.

It's not clear if any of these youngsters will get on the park on Wednesday night, but even then, the experience will be good for them. Training with the big boys will only spur their development further. Aguinaldo and Fernandez should also benefit greatly from the avuncular presence of Rob Gier.

If there is one kid who could get a run out on Wednesday it just might be Bugas. Everyone I speak to raves about his superb ability on the ball as well as his smart decision-making. If Weiss was in Singapore watching him come on as a sub for Loyola against Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Cup, then he'd probably be impressed.

It's my fervent hope that five or six substitutes are allowed per team, especially since it's a friendly.

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Apart from these kids, the usual suspects, like the Younghusbands, Chieffy Caligdong, Carlie De Murga will offer enough quality to go for a result on the road. Angel Guirado is also back in the lineup and altough Patrick Reichelt was originally slated to play, he has begged off.

Indonesia will likely be a vastly different side from the one that drew the Azkals 2-2 last year. Jacksen Tiago, a Brazilian, is now in charge. The 45-year old has been involved with Indonesian Football since the mid-nineties.

The Merah Putih has been on a losing streak of late, but against extremely good opposition. The recently lost at home 2-1 to Saudi Arabia and before that dropped a 3-0 decision to the Netherlands.

One Dutchman who will likely see action on Wednesday is Raphael Maitimo, a Dutch-Indonesian midfielder who grew up playing against the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben of the Oranje.

Indonesia will also likely trot out Gregory Nkwolo and Victor Igbonefo both naturalized Nigerians.

Andik Vermansyah, a young midfielder will tremendous potential, is a likely starter. Titus Bonai and Patrich Wanggai could also figure in the attack. It was Wanggai who scored against the Philippines in June of last year.

Poster boy Irfan Bachdim was not in the squad for Saudi Arabia and it's unclear if he will be called on to face the Philippines. You may remember him as the chap you squirreled the ball between the legs of Neil Etheridge in last year's draw, then in the second half got himself sent off after a handbag fight with Caligdong. Oktovianus Maniani, a hellaciously quick wing player, wasn't in the squad for the Saudi Arabia game and may not be chosen again.

These exclusions speak volumes about the depth of Indonesian Football.

Indonesia will be very tough to beat, especially at home. But the Azkals should give them a tough challenge.

And Nonong Araneta hopes, as does the rest of the Azkals Nation, that this time, the goals count.

My starting XI:

PYounghusband Mulders

Caligdong Hartmann Greatwich JYounghusband

Christiaens Gier DeMurga Barbaso

Deyto

Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333. Watch the game live on Studio 23 this Wednesday. Coverage begins at 9:15pm.