Bali United's Steps Towards The 2022 AFC Cup ASEAN Zone Semifinals Are Hard, Teco: Anything Can Happen

Bali United coach Stefano Teco Cugurra. (Doc. Bali United official website)

JAKARTA - Bali United will face Kaya FC Iloilo in the final match of Group G of the 2022 AFC Cup, Thursday, June 30. The match, which was held at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, was to determine the fate of Bali United.

Bali United must win if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals of the ASEAN zone. Even though they will win later, it does not guarantee that Tridatu Soldiers will qualify for the next round. They still depend on the results of the matches in groups H and I.

Bali United coach Stefano Cugurra remains optimistic that his team can qualify for the 2022 AFC Cup ASEAN zone semifinals. According to him, anything can happen.

"So, anything can happen and we have to keep our spirits up so we can play well in the last match. See what will happen in the next match," said Teco, Stefano Cugurra's nickname, quoted from Antara.

"We will work hard and play well to qualify and entertain the fans."

Currently, Bali United is in second place in Group G with three points. This was the result of a 2-5 defeat to Visakha FC at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Bali, Monday, June 27, yesterday.

Bali United's chance to qualify for the semifinals of the ASEAN zone is only left through the best runner-up route.

There are four ASEAN zone teams that will advance to the semifinals, namely the three winning teams in groups G, H, and I, and one other team from the best runner-up from the three groups.

This means that Bali United must win with a big score against Kaya FC Iloilo to increase the chances of qualifying for the next round, and hope that the results in Groups H and I favor Serdadu Tridatu.

"Of course it is very difficult. When you lose by many goals of course it is very difficult. However, in football anything can happen," said the Brazilian coach.

"The problem now is that the competition time is tight, in a week we play three games. I certainly have to look at players who are fitter to play again. If they have quality but are not fit, they cannot play well," continued Teco.