Kolev urges players to shrug off pressure in Myanmar game

Kolev urges players to shrug off pressure in Myanmar game

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian soccer team coach Ivan Kolev admitted that the team
was suffering from pressure from playing as a host in the Tiger
Cup, but assured that his players could cope with it to focus on
the game when they take on Myanmar in the opening match at the
Bung Karno Stadium here on Sunday.

"Suffering from pressure is natural, but we have to work hard
to quash it. And after being involved in the preparation for four
months, the players should now be able to concentrate on the
game," Bulgarian Kolev told a press conference through an
interpreter here on Saturday.

Despite being paired against an underdog and given Indonesia's
good record in past meetings between the two, Kolev signaled that
just the same they would not by any means take coach David
Booth's side lightly.

"We have prepared seriously and are ready for the tournament.
I have instructed our players to show their skills, play their
utmost against whichever team we have out there," he said.

The 2002 Tiger Cup is being co-hosted by Indonesia and
Singapore. Playing in Jakarta are Cambodia, the Philippines,
Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia in Group A, while Group B is
playing in Singapore and comprises Singapore, reigning champion
Thailand, Malaysia and Laos.

The Indonesia-Myanmar fixture will be the second game after
Vietnam, a tournament favorite, is challenged by Cambodia in the
opening match.

In Singapore, play will kick off on Wednesday with Thailand
playing Laos, and Singapore facing Malaysia.

Although Kolev said that he had little knowledge about
Myanmar, Indonesia should not face serious problems when both
play each other given the past record, which is in favor of the
host.

In their three matchups for the Tiger Cup, Indonesia not only
came out the winner but swept to victory with lopsided goals, the
latest scoresheet being 5-0 in 2000.

During the press conference, Kolev also announced the latest
elimination of four players from the team, leaving the number at
20.

The four were goalkeeper Samsidar, defender Joko Kuspito,
Syamsul Bahri and Uston Nawawi, both midfielders.

But Kolev refused to use the term "elimination", saying the
four were good players. "Only that they have had to make way for
others who are more prepared for the battle," he said.

Uston, who has been a regular member of the national team, had
to drop out this time around due to a knee injury he sustained
during an Australian tour.

Despite being written off this time, Booth oozes confidence
about Myanmar's chances, saying that his team, made up mostly of
former U-21 team players, who played in Brunei recently, had
improved since the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"They are not afraid to play anybody now. They can play
tactical football. They are young with good spirit," Booth said.

Meanwhile, Cambodia warned that other opponents should not
take the tournament lightly. Given strong opposition in Vietnam,
which is a strong contender, coach Joachim Fickert said a win was
possible for them.

"The match is not decided by individuals. It is collective
play and team spirit that count. And the players have good spirit
and can work together to win the match," he said.