Cambodia promises stiff test for Indonesia
JAKARTA (JP): Cambodia's coach Joachim Fickert has encouraged his players to put forward a strong challenge to Indonesia in the 2002 World Cup qualifying round at Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan on Sunday despite the host's optimism of reaping a second victory.
"We know Indonesia will play offensive soccer, but we won't play defensively. We'll strengthen our defense, but at the same time try to counter attack at the right moments," Fickert told a media briefing on Saturday.
The German coach praised the Indonesian squad, which is a combination of senior and junior players.
"I believe the Indonesia team is good. Even their junior (players) are experienced. The players are more disciplined and have good strategies, which are needed in modern soccer. They are also good in defense."
Fickert said his team would not allow Indonesia to score an early goal as it would demoralize the Cambodian team.
"I saw the match between Indonesia and Maldives. The home crowd really supported their team. They are a potential threat to our team if we permit Indonesia to score an early lead. We have to resist until the last minute."
He said Indonesia would likely field the same lineup as it did when it defeated Maldives 5-0 on April 8.
Cambodia suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat against Maldives in its away match earlier in Male.
Indonesia will rely on strikers Bambang Pamungkas and Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto. Captain Bima Sakti will lead the midfield along with Agung Setyobudi, Yaris Riyadi, Uston Nawawi and Ismed Sofyan.
Coach Benny Dolo will be fielding Sugiyantoro, Eko Purdjianto and veteran Aples Gideon Tecuari in the defense with Hendro Kartiko as the goalkeeper.
During the one-week training session, Benny had tried to partner Kurniawan with newcomer Budi Sudarsono. He also experimented by replacing Bima with Maman in the midfield. At the back, he substituted Aples with Warsidi.
Fickert pointed out Kurniawan, Yaris, Sugiyantoro, Agung and Budi as Cambodia's main foes.
"Indonesia has quick strikers. Agung is also very good at the right wing."
Cambodia only has three seniors in its 25-strong lineup that does not include top striker Hok Sochetra. Sochetra helped lift the team's pride with a 1-1 tie over Maldives before the home crowd on April 15.
"Hok only played half time during the Maldives-Cambodia match. He didn't come along with us because he's busy with his career," Fickert said.
He said Cambodia did not want to burden the youngsters with ambitious targets in the qualifier as they were being prepared for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17.
"We are preparing the juniors for the SEA Games. Our youngsters need more experience. I think the qualifier provides a good opportunity for them to get the experience.
"In this group, Indonesia and China are still the favorites. We are preparing for the future."
Fickert said he had learned from his team's humiliating loss against Maldives.
"We don't have injured players and we have made a lot of progress which is needed to play until the last minute." (ivy)