OFFICIALS for the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup Leg-1 semi-finals between Philippines and Vietnam had arrived in Bacolod City late on Friday, November 30.
Match commissioner Subramanian Manickam from Malaysia, AFF tournament coordinator Toh Sen Nee, AFF head of delegation Kanya Keomany from Laos, AFF secretariat Intan Marhaen, AFF media officer Abdul Rahman and fourth official Muhammad Nazmi Bin Nasaruddin from Malaysia landed at the Bacolod-Silay Airport at 5:10 p.m. while referee Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Jassim from Qatar and assistant referees Saoud Ahmed Almaqaieh, also of Qatar, and Bangbang Syamsudar of Indonesia came later at 9:05 p.m.
On Saturday, the Philippines will have the pre-match press conference at the Panaad Park and Stadium at 5:30 p.m. followed by the official training at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Vietnam will hold its pre-match conference at 7 p.m. followed by the official training at 7:30 p.m.
While every Filipino felt grateful as the Philippine Azkals are back in the Suzuki Cup semis, the team will be facing some tough challenge as key players withdrew due of club duties.
Filipino-Japanese left back Daisuke Sato has been called back to his Romanian club – Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe, who allowed him to play two games outside of the Fifa window.
Likewise, defender Stephan Palla was also summoned to return to Thailand for Buriram's pre-season training camp as Filipino-German central midfielder Patrick Strauss returned to Germany to his Bundesliga 2 club Erzebirge Aue.
Cardiff City ace stopper Filipino-British Neil Etheridge also departed as Luke Woodland will also be unavailable due to injury.