AFC applauds host PSM Makassar

AFC applauds host PSM Makassar

MAKASSAR, Sulawesi Selatan (JP): The Asian Football
Confederation (AFC) praised host PSM Makassar at its debut
staging of the Asian Champions' Cup quarterfinals, East Asia
zone, at the Mattoangin Stadium starting on Wednesday.

"It is really unbelievable. Before the competitors came here,
they had the image that Indonesian people are not friendly, but
it was completely overturned after they received a warm welcome
here," AFC official Alex Soosay told a press conference on
Thursday.

"They were also impressed by local soccer fans who were very
supportive of their team although it lost to Shandong Luneng.
They also cheered the first match between Jubilo Iwata and
Samsung Suwon Blue Wings. This has set the precedent that an
international soccer match staged outside the capital could run
smoothly."

Soosay -- accompanied by officials Nurdin Halid and Ilham
Arief Siradjuddin -- said he would report to the AFC competition
commission on the good service provided by PSM.

"If the matches tomorrow and on Sunday also run smoothly, we
can recommend Makassar to host other international events,
including the Tiger Cup," he said.

Nurdin, who is also patron of PSM, apologized to AFC for
skipping the post-match conference after losing 1-3 to Shandong.

"We received a warning letter from AFC but it's totally our
team manager and coach's fault. They were too overcome by sadness
after the defeat and forgot to join the conference."

"We apologize for our carelessness and we're ready to take any
punishment."

AFC also warned Blue Wings for the same reason after the South
Korean team lost 0-3 to heavy favorite Jubilo of Japan.

Fake tickets

Nurdin also apologized to local supporters who were not able
to enter the 18,000-seated-stadium as it was filled to capacity.

Organizers had to close the gate as spectators who flocked to
the stadium found it was already full. Reports said the
organizers found 5,000 fake tickets and fake ID cards for press
and officials.

The organizers printed only 18,000 tickets and 16,780 were
sold, but the spectators at the stadium totaled nearly 23,000.

"We were shocked by the incident. Besides the fake tickets,
many spectators entered the stadium using tickets for Friday's
and Sunday's matches," Nurdin said.

"I apologized to spectators who were not able to enter the
stadium on Wednesday, especially those who bought tickets at
official ticket booths and still could not watch the matches."

Nurdin called on soccer fans to arrive earlier for the
remaining two matches as the stadium gate will be closed at 6
p.m. local time.

To distinguish the official tickets, the organizers will put a
special mark on them. Spectators who have already bought tickets
for Friday and Sunday are expected to report to the organizers
before entering the stadium.

Nurdin urged ticket agents not to double the price. He also
claimed that Rp 60 million (US$6,000) has been made ready for
ticket refunds to spectators.

Friday's fixtures will feature PSM playing Blue Wings
initially, followed by Jubilo against Shandong in the second
match. (27)