National soccer team plans European tour

JAKARTA (JP): The national soccer team plans to compete overseas later this month to prepare for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

Team coach Bernhard Schumm told reporters on Tuesday that the team would leave Jakarta on June 27 and spend some two or three weeks playing friendly matches with top teams around Europe, including Estonia, Latvia and Finland.

"We have set the match with Estonia and Latvia, and maybe we will face the Olympic team of Finland. We have no problems arranging the matches with the top clubs there," Schumm said.

He said the team was scheduled to return on July 15 to allow two-weeks self-adjustment before flying to Brunei Darussalam. Indonesia kicks off the preliminary Group B match against Cambodia on July 31. This group also includes Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

Schumm said the team would not play the Polish soccer team as earlier scheduled because its national team was competing in the Euro 2000 qualifying round. He also said that the Polish league players were resting in preparation for next season's matches.

"The players protested because they want to prepare for the league championship. Poland had their players compete in other clubs around Europe and it has become a problem for the Polish soccer association to gather them all. So they refused our request," he said.

Schumm also welcomed the decision from All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar to name Muhammad Zein, director of Persijatim soccer club, as team manager to assist Schumm in non-technical affairs such as public relations.

"I appreciate Muhammad Zein who will represent the team and support our success in the SEA Games," he said.

He said he was content to be involved in the decision. Schumm said Agum had a private conversation with him a week before the three-star general announced the decision on Monday.

"The decision is not made without my knowledge. I have to say that it's my choice as well," he said.

Goal keepers Hendro Kartiko from Persebaya Surabaya and I. Komang Putra from PSIS Semarang also welcomed the decision, saying that the players could consult the team manager on daily matters.

"It's a good decision. We can address our complaints to the team manager," Komang said.

"I don't know Zein personally. But I'm glad that we have a team manager now. PSSI appointed him, so we just follow the decision," Hendro said.(ivy)