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)