Philippine XI hoping for miracle

MANILA, Philippines — Beat Indonesia and pray for Myanmar to fall against Vietnam.

That’s what the Philippine men’s football team envisions tonight in the final push for the second and last berth to the Asean Championship-Mitsubishi Electric Cup semifinals from Group B.

With three points from three draws, the Pinoy booters shoot for a potential clinching victory against second-running Indonesia (four points on 1-1-1 win-draw-loss card) at Stadion Manahan in Surakarta, Central Java. A tie with the Garuda won’t do.

If successful, the Filipinos finish at six points and get the inside track in the race to join early qualifier Vietnam (seven points on 2-1-0).

But the Filipinos need help from Vietnam, which hosts Myanmar (four points on 1-1-1) in Viet Tri City and will give the Philippines the remaining ticket if they beat or at least draw with the Burmese.