Host Indonesia still the favorite for the Independence Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Host Indonesia may not find well-matched competitors to test players' skills in the 2000 Independence Cup soccer tournament which kicks off at Senayan Stadium on Monday.

Iraq, Myanmar and China Taipei remained humble on their chances and goals in the Cup, saying at a media conference they had agreed to take part in the tournament to gain experience.

Indonesia is hoping to warm up for the 2000 Asian Cup in this tournament as a tight schedule has prevented the team from going on overseas stints.

It will be Indonesia's second performance in the Asian Cup, held in Lebanon from Oct. 12 to Oct. 29. The first was in the 1996 Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But 1996's result was disappointing, as Indonesia finished bottom in Group A, after UAE, Kuwait and South Korea.

Despite its world ranking of 87th, higher than the other competitors, Iraq pointed toward Indonesia as the favorite to lift the Cup on its home soil.

Indonesia, ranked 99 in the world as of Aug. 9, and Iraq are qualifiers for the Asian Cup, besides host Lebanon, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, China, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

Iraq's Yugoslav coach, Barja Maric, said his team would field its junior players in the tournament as its national team was now in China preparing for the 2000 Asian Cup.

"It's a blessing for us to be invited to play in Indonesia. We have really wanted to play outside our country to test our skills but the domestic political situation has not been conducive to such things," he said, referring to the international isolation of his country since the Gulf War.

Maric declined to disclose his team's strategy in its first match against Chinese Taipei, but only saying that his team would play with its style of speed and power.

Indonesia's head coach, Nandar Iskandar, did not take Maric's statement seriously and said he considered Iraq the toughest challenge.

"If Iraq said that we are strong, it doesn't mean that we are already the winner. They are strong and their players are taller than ours," he said.

Nandar said he would have a chance of seeing Iraq playing before developing a good strategy to face the team in the third match. The team lost its young striker Bambang Pamungkas but got Rocky Puttiray, fresh from playing in the Hong Kong squad Instant-Dict.

Myanmar coach A Ye Maung said his team would use the tournament as a preparation for the 2000 Tiger Cup in Thailand and the 2001 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.

"I know it will be difficult to beat Indonesia as we are only fielding junior players. But we hope to perform well here," Maung said.

Chinese Taipei have brought 15 players, who are being groomed for the prequalifying round of the 2002 World Cup.

"We know that our chance in this tournament is slim. But we will play our matches and review the other teams' performances," said coach Huang Jen-chen, adding that he had no idea of the playing skills of the other teams.

Besides the Cup, the champions will earn US$40,000. Runners-up will pocket $20,000 while each competitor gets $5,000. (ivy)

Fixtures (All matches are at the Senayan main stadium. The first match starts at 5 p.m., the second at 7 p.m. while the final match begins at 5 p.m.)

Aug. 28: Iraq vs Chinese Taipei, Indonesia vs Myanmar

Aug. 30: Myanmar vs Iraq, Chinese Taipei vs Indonesia

Sept. 1: Myanmar vs Chinese Taipei, Indonesia vs Iraq

Sept. 3: Grand Final