Indonesia hopes to avoid early clash with Thailand
Indonesia hopes to avoid early clash with Thailand
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia does not want to risk an early clash
with favorite Thailand in the initial ASEAN Tiger Cup soccer
tournament in Singapore from Sept. 1 to 15, according to the team
manager.
Danurwindo, who has been in charge of the team for the past
two years, said yesterday that his squad needs to finish first in
its group to ensure a crossover semifinal with the runner-up of
the other group, which is unlikely to be Thailand.
"Our first test, hence, is to clear the toughest hurdle in our
group, Vietnam," Danurwindo said.
Indonesia is in Group A with Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and
Cambodia, while Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Thailand, the
host Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines make up
Group B.
Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore are the clear
favorites to reach the semifinals.
When they last played, in the 1995 Chiang Mai SEA Games,
Vietnam defeated Indonesia 1-0 to progress to the semifinals.
Danurwindo predicted that all the participating countries will
send their SEA Games squads to the tournament, which has been
designed as a biennial event. It will be hosted in turn by each
of the ASEAN members and observers.
"But each team has an equal chance of reaching the semifinals
this time. We have to stay alert," a cautious Danurwindo said.
Indonesia, featuring a blend of youth and experience, opens
its campaign against lowly Laos at the Jurong Stadium on Sept. 2.
Winning the tournament will provide a morale booster for
Indonesia prior to its trip to Dubai for the Asia Cup finals in
December.
The All-Indonesia Football Association has decided to delay
the last-12 round of the national league championship for a month
in order to give national team members ample time to prepare for
the Tiger Cup.
However, the new schedule, from Sept. 24 to Sept. 28, has
caused headaches for the contesting teams since they have to pay
extra money for various reasons. Complaints have been mounting
from the clubs which do not want to make their foreign signings
stay until the end of the season. Most of the imported players'
contracts end by September.
To make matter worse, there may be no Indonesian
representatives in the Asia Champions Cup and Winners Cup which
kick off on Sept. 9, following the Indonesian league's
rescheduling.
The Indonesian champion is tipped to host Pohang of South
Korea on Sept. 7. On the same day, Indonesia's runner-up is drawn
to visit the Malaysian Cup winner in their cup winners cup
opening leg. (amd)