Indonesia to test Iraq's skills in Asia Cup soccer warm-up

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is to play a friendly soccer match against Iraq at the Senayan Stadium next Wednesday.

This will be Indonesia's first-of-seven planned warm-up matches before the Asia Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates, which begin Dec. 4. Iraq has also qualified for the finals.

Secretary-general of the All Indonesia Football Association, Nugraha Besoes, said yesterday there would be no diplomatic problems relating to the game although Iraq has been under United Nations' sanctions since 1991.

"The ministry of foreign affairs does not see any problems with the match, because Indonesia and Iraq have a close relationship," Nugraha said.

Nugraha said Indonesia would pay the accommodation expenses of the Iraqi team, which is being groomed for the Asian Cup finals.

The friendly match has been brought forward three days from its original schedule to give the Indonesian team time to prepare for its overseas matches.

The Asian Cup finals' draw last month put Indonesia in a tough Group A with Kuwait, host UAE and regular World Cup finalist South Korea. Iraq, Iran, Thailand and 1994 World Cup finalist Saudi Arabia are in Group B.

After the match against Iraq, the Indonesian team will fly to Genoa, Italy, where it will spend a month training. The team is scheduled to play five friendly matches against European second stringers Moldova, Lithuania, Estonia, San Marino and an Italian second-division club.

The national team of 18 players is scheduled to play its last warm-up match against favorite Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Nov. 28.

Coach Danurwindo made a surprise decision when he sidelined goal machine Peri Sandria, Pupuk Kaltim's captain Fachry Husaini, Petrokimia Putra's Eri Irianto and talented striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto of Pelita Jaya from the Asian Cup team. Peri played a pivotal role in helping Mastrans Bandung Raya win the Indonesian soccer league championships recently.

Danurwindo replaced them with Arseto's former captain Sudirman, the league's best player Ronny Wabia of Persipura and PSM Ujungpandang's Anshar Razak.

"We need players who fit our defensive team, not those with brilliant goal scoring instincts," Danurwindo argued. The team has not won a title since he began coaching it two years ago.

Danurwindo opted to strengthen his team's defense to meet stronger opponents in the Asian Cup finals.

"Our training sessions will heavily stress endurance improvement, because we want our team to stay fresh throughout the 90 minutes of play," he said. (amd)