Manado to host W. Cup qualifier

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Football Federation has chosen the North Sulawesi capital of Manado to host an Asian zone World Cup qualifier between Indonesia and Yemen on April 13.

Jeffrey Talumepa, the secretary of Manado's Persma club, said in Manado Tuesday that organizers were preparing for the match.

"One of the preparations is the renovation of the Klabat Stadium as the venue. The renovation includes laying new grass, adding lighting and cleaning up the dressing rooms and bathrooms," Jeffrey was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Klabat Stadium, 20 kilometers from the Sam Ratulangi airport, can hold 25,000 spectators.

Jeffrey said it was an honor for Manado to host the qualifier. "We will do everything possible to make the qualifying match a success. We expect support from both the regional government and the Manado people so that the match runs smoothly."

Jeffrey did not say why Manado had been chosen to host the World Cup qualifier but said that Surabaya and Jakarta had been chosen to host other qualifying matches.

The Jakarta Senayan stadium will host a match between Indonesia and Cambodia on March 27 and Surabaya will host an Indonesia-Uzebekistan match on June 1. (lnt)