Jakarta - Indonesian soccer team`s striker Christian Gonzales said he was ready for scoring goals in the final match of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 with Malaysia on December 26 and 29.
"I am always ready if my coach picked me," he told newsmen after playing in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup`s semifinal against the Philippines team here Sunday evening.
The only goal that secured Indonesia`s victory was made by Gonzales, naturalized Indonesian citizen married to an Indonesian.
In the first leg, Indonesia also defeated the Philippines with one goal also scored by Gonzales who came from Uruguay.
He said he would always do his best to bring victory to his team at anytime. But, his success in scoring goals was actually the result of a solid team work, he said.
"I cannot score goals if there is no solid support from the other players. Therefore scoring goals is the result of all players` hard work," said the naturalized playmaker who once played for Persib Bandung.
Gonzales who married Eva Siregar was publicly regarded as the one who had brought the national team to the grand final match due to be held in Malaysia on December 26 and in Indonesia on December 29.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who watched the semifinal match at Bung Karno soccer stadium here Sunday evening praised the Indonesian soccer team`s victory and spectacular performance.
However, the head of state urged the Indonesian players to focus on their final match with Malaysia.
"Don`t be inattentive. Keep concentrating on the final match with Malaysia," he said.
President Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono watched the spectacular game along with tens of thousands of Indonesian fans, including senior politicians, top government officials and cabinet members.
Golkar Party leader Abu Rizal Bakrie, Democrat Party leader Anas Urbaningrum, Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Marzuki Alie, Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Irman Gusman, and Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Agung Laksono were also seen among the spectators.
President Yudhoyono said he thanked Almighty God for the Indonesian team`s victory that paved the way to be in the final match with Malaysia.
"Thank God, we will enter the final," he said, adding that the Indonesian soccer players could have combined techniques of aggressive attacks and solid defense.
The head of state called on the entire nation to pray for the national team`s victory in two legs of the final match.
President Yudhoyono said the government promised the national team members a token of appreciation.
The AFF committee decided that the two legs of the Indonesia-the Philippines` semifinals will be held at Bung Karno soccer stadium because the AFF regarded the Philippines` soccer stadium to meet the international standards.(*)
Source: http://www.antaranews.com