Indonesia's Olympic soccer team can beat South Korea: Agum

Indonesia's Olympic soccer team can beat South Korea: Agum

JAKARTA (JP): All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) chairman
Agum Gumelar expressed optimism that the pre-Olympics soccer team
could win in the prequalifying round to the 2000 Olympic Games in
South Korea on May 26.

Agum said on Tuesday that the national soccer team, which
comprises under-23 year olds from various clubs across the
nation, had technical skills that equal the South Korean Olympics
team.

"Technically both teams are equal. But they have to pass the
real test which lays in their motivation and determination. Our
team will challenge South Korea in the last match. I had asked
them to give their best and to wipe out the myth that South Korea
is undefeatable," he said.

Indonesia is in Group VIII together with Sri Lanka, Taiwan and
strong team South Korea. Group winners qualify for the second
round of the qualifying round in the Asia-Oceania zone.

Agum reiterated that the soccer team had been able to defeat
Malaysia 5-2 and Thailand 4-2 in the Quadrangular Tournament for
Olympic teams at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur
earlier this month.

"Malaysia spent US$5 million to build up its Olympics soccer
team but we beat it and left it pondering its loss. The result
shows us that our team is slightly above the other teams
competing in the tournament," he said.

He said he had warned the young players against
underestimating the other teams in Group VIII, which are
considered weak. "On paper, we can overcome Sri Lanka and Taiwan,
but I told them not to underestimate these teams."

Pre-Olympic team coach Bernard Schumm refused to speculate on
his team's chances, saying he only hoped the team would play its
best against South Korea.

"I believe we have no chance of beating South Korea. But in
soccer, anything can happen as the game must be played first. The
South Korean team has a World Cup squad. I hope that our team can
overcome them. If their mood and spirits are good, I think we
have a chance to win," he said.

He said he had instructed his team to play without pressure.
"Speaking on our match with South Korea, you can't put us under
pressure."

Agum and Schumm were speaking on the sidelines of a friendly
match between pre-Olympic soccer team and Jakarta Student Soccer
Association (Asmaja) at Kuningan sports stadium in South Jakarta
on Monday.

The national soccer team won the match 1-0 after striker
Bambang Pamungkas kicked the only goal about 30 seconds into the
first round.

"We choose the students as the team's opponent because we want
to teach them not to underestimate their contenders," said
Agum. (ivy)