PSSI and Kolev 'likely to part'<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is undecided over
\nIvan Kolev, who failed to take the national team beyond the group
\nstage at the ongoing Asian Cup in China.<\/p>\n
However, it is unlikely that Kolev of Bulgaria will stay after
\nAugust when his term expires.<\/p>\n
PSSI secretary-general Nugraha Besoes said on Tuesday that it
\nwas unlikely that the PSSI would extend the contract.<\/p>\n
\"PSSI officials think that Kolev has not been successful in
\ntaking charge of the national team in international competition,\"
\nNugraha said.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian soccer team chalked up a surprise 2-1 win over
\nQatar in the opening match in Group A in the Asian Cup.<\/p>\n
But Agung Setiabudi and teammates failed to maintain the
\nmomentum in subsequent matches as they were trashed 5-0 by China
\nand thumped 3-1 by Bahrain, to exit the 16-team tournament.<\/p>\n
Nugraha said that the national team's performance had been
\ninconsistent under Kolev's training program.<\/p>\n
While Kolev's departure is almost certain, Nugraha said that
\nthe PSSI would have to evaluate the performance of the national
\nteam, including that of the coach after they got home from
\nBeijing on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The evaluation, he said, would be based not only on the Asia
\nCup result but on the team's performance in international events,
\nincluding those during last year.<\/p>\n
\"The evaluation will determine whether we should keep Kolev or
\nnot, but from what I heard from Kolev himself, he said that he
\nwanted to go home,\" Nugraha said.<\/p>\n
He added that the players would also be allowed to express
\ntheir own opinion on the coach.<\/p>\n
Kolev's partnership with the PSSI is his second visit to
\nIndonesia. His first Indonesian stint was when he coached
\nJakarta-based Persija in 1999 before he took charge of the
\nBulgarian under-20 team.<\/p>\n
Upon his return to Indonesia, he signed a one-year contract in
\n2002 before it was extended to 2004.<\/p>",
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