The semifinals will be a do-or-die affair for all the teams -- defending champion DPR Korea, Philippines, Turkmenistan and Palestine -- as a defeat will end their dreams of moving in to the final of the mega event. [break]
The tournament is significant also because it will open the doors to the finals of 2015 Asian Cup to be held in Australia.
Group A winner Turkmenistan will lock horns with Group B runner-up Philippines in the first semifinal, while Group B winner DPR Korea will meet Group A runner-up Palestine in another semifinal.
In the course of securing top spot in Group A, Turkmenistan defeated host Nepal and the Maldives and played a goalless draw with Palestine. Turkmenistan´s semifinal opponent Philippines beat tournament favorite India 2-0, lost by the same margin against holder Korea and edged past Tajikistan 2-1.
Turkmenistan coach Yazguly Hojageldiyev on Thursday said his side will play for victory. He said he has seen the Philippines play against India. "We respect the Philippines and are ready to play against it," said Hojageldiyev, who has set a target of making it to the Asian Cup. "Winning this tournament will get us a ticket for the Asian Cup and we are playing to win."
Philippines will be without its three key players, including James Younghusband and Angel Guirado, against Turkmenistan as they have been suspended for the next match. According to coach Hans Michael Weiss, another center defender will miss the match as he has picked injury. He, however, refused to name the player.
Regarding their absence in the vital match, Weiss said, "Suspensions happen in football. We don´t cry or lament about what happened. We have a squad of players that always wants to play. They always come to me and say ´coach, let me play, let me play´, so now they have a chance."
Holder Korea, which takes on Palestine for a place in the final, is in its best form. Korea stormed into the last four with a cent percent winning record, scored the highest eight goals and is yet to concede a goal. Palestine is another team to have made it to the semifinals without conceding a goal. The team finished runner-up in its group despite having equal seven points as that of group winner Turkmenistan on the basis of goal difference.
Though Korea is being touted as the tournament favorite, Palestine coach Jamal Mahmoud says he doesn´t fear them. "Korea is a strong team. We know it has played the World Cup, but we also know how it plays and we will play for a win," said Mahmoud, whose side will be without suspended midfielder Husam Wadi.
"We have our plans and are confident of beating Korea," said Mahmoud, adding that eight players of his country were professional players of other teams.
Korea coach Yun Jong-su said he has seen Palestine´s match and analyzed the opponent´s tactics. "We have seen Palestine´s match and will implement our strategy accordingly."
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