Medan gets ready for U-17 ASEAN Cup

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra

The Indonesia soccer team under Dutch coach Jim Bryden is optimistic about the team's chances at the U-17 Southeast Asian Cup to be held at Teladan Stadium here from Tuesday.

"I don't want to underestimate our opponents, but our six- month preparation is enough to overcome all challenges," Bryden told reporters.

"The ASEAN Cup is only our intermediary target to prepare the boys for the Asian Cup to be held in Dubai in three years."

The Laos, Philippine and Thai teams arrived here on Sunday. Cambodia is expected to arrive on Monday.

Indonesia is hosting the Group B matches in this North Sumatra capital. Kuala Lumpur is hosting Group A matches, which include Brunei Darussalam, host Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam.

Host Indonesia will start its campaign facing the Thais on Tuesday. The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman, Agum Gumelar is expected to attend Group B's qualifying round.

The qualifying round will run until Feb. 25, with the semifinals and final rounds to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 28 and March 2.

Meanwhile, vice chairman of the organizing committee, Simon Pramono, told The Jakarta Post that the organizers had prepared all facilities needed to stage the international event.

"We have provided all facilities required by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) such as field improvement, press center, Internet access and international phone connections," he said.

"We have also equipped all rooms in the stadium with air- conditioners."

Indonesian players:

Wahyu Tri Nugroho, Tomi, Tony Sucipto, Putra Habibi, Nur Ichsan, Imam Agustian, Aswan Asri, Rio Ardan, Putut Waringin Jati, Mohammad Samsul Azis, Kurniawan, Aris Nanto, Nizamuddin, Danil Junaidi, Ari Yuganda, Hafit Saleman, Bobby Satria, Ruhanda Merdiyansa, Romi Triwaldy, Andro Levandry and Dede Sulaiman.