Indonesia's soccer dreams for Sydney 2000 in tatters<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): South Korean soundly defeated Indonesia 7-0 in
\nthe Asian Zone Group Eight prequalifying tournament for the 2000
\nOlympic Games on Saturday at Olympic Stadium, Seoul, shattering
\nIndonesia's Sydney dreams.<\/p>\n
With three straight victories, South Korea cruises to the
\nsecond round, where nine first round winners will be divided into
\nthree groups. Group winners qualify for the Olympics.<\/p>\n
The national soccer team, made up of under 23-year-olds,
\nfailed to anticipate the quick moving South Koreans and could not
\ndevelop its defense strategy, coach Bernhard Schumm said.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that Indonesia's team was inadequately
\nprepared.<\/p>\n
\"The South Korean squad is superior in every line, including
\nin its speed and physical endurance, Schumm told Antara on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
South Korea led the first half 4-0 with a hat-trick from ace
\nforward Lee Dong-gook in the 1st, 35th and 40th minute. Team
\nmember Park Jin-sub kicked a goal in the 23rd minute.<\/p>\n
In the second half, Indonesia goalie Sahari Gultom of PSMS
\nMedan failed to secure his posts a from South Korean raid that
\nproduced another three goals from An Hyo-yeon (in the 69th minute
\nand 76th minute) and Lee Kwan-woo (in the 72nd minute).<\/p>\n
All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) spokesman Tondo
\nWidodo, who was present at the match, said Sahari was under
\nsustained pressure during the whole game.<\/p>\n
\"Sahari played quite well, but it was difficult for him to
\ndefend his posts from the continuous attack,\" he told the news
\nagency.<\/p>\n
Strikers Bambang Pamungkas from Persikas in Semarang, Central
\nJava, and Gendut Doni from Diklat Salatiga were powerless to
\nattack, as they were tightly guarded by their opposites.<\/p>\n
In a desperate bid to improve the team's performance, Schumm,
\nwho was former assistant coach to German champion Bayern
\nMuenchen, replaced Gendut Doni with Nova Zainal of Persikota
\nTangerang in the second half but the move did not benefit
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
South Korean coach Wo Chang-hoo said after the match the
\nIndonesian team was not as strong as a video recording of the
\nteam playing warm up matches in Malaysia and Hong Kong last month
\nsuggested.<\/p>\n
He said his team did not face any difficulties defeating
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
South Korea was one of the Asian qualifiers in the 1998 World
\nCup in France.<\/p>\n
In the opening match on Tuesday, South Korean beat Sri Lanka
\n5-0, while Indonesia achieved a 2-1 victory over Taiwan. In the
\nsecond match on Thursday, South Korea comprehensively defeated
\nTaiwan 7-0 and Indonesia overwhelmed Sri Lanka 2-1.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Saturday, Taiwan had its first Group 8 win when it
\nbeat Sri Lanka 4-1. With the result Taiwan remains in third
\nplace, while Sri Lanka was at the bottom of the Group 8 list.<\/p>\n
Taiwan's scorers on Saturday included Hou Sheng-chung (6th
\nminute), Tsai Hui-kai (8th minute), Lin Chien-kuang (23rd minute)
\nand Lin Chia-sheng (24th minute). Sri Lanka benefited from an
\nerror executed by Cheng Yung-jen, who scored in the 20th minute a
\ngoal for his opponents. (ivy)<\/p>",
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