National team wins domestic game

National team wins domestic game

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Veterans Jaya Hartono and Robby Darwis showed some of their old soccer mastery when they scored a goal each that earned the national team (PSSI) a 2-0 warm-up win over Mastrans Bandung Raya here yesterday.

Both Jaya and Robby, two of the country's most capped players in Danurwindo's rooster for the Asia Championships qualifying round early next month, marked the friendly with brilliant touches as their juniors ran out of steam.

After a lackluster spell, Jaya scored the opening goal in the 30th minute. It took the national team 25 minutes to extend the lead when Robby latched on a free kick from Ansyari Lubis.

The trio of coaches of Danurwindo, Andi Teguh Nandar Iskandar chose the Bandung side to test their defense. They also carried out a number of trials in the up-front line by making six substitutions.

"So far so good. We got off to a disastrous start, but we managed to team up solidly in the rest of the match," Danurwindo said.

The West Javanese relied on Montenegrin Dejan Glusevic to set up sporadic pressures in response to the national squad's raids, only to find stubborn clearances from Robby, Yeyen Tumena and Nuralim.

"It is the team's best performance so far. They have improved their teamwork," Andi said of his players.

Andi's 18 men are grouped with Malaysia and India in round- robin matches played in Kuala Lumpur from March 2 to March 5. The winner will qualify for the Asian Championships Finals in Dubai to be held either in October or November.

Reelected chairman of the Indonesian Football Association, Azwar Anas, congratulated the national players for this encouraging tune-up for the Asian outing. "They looked a little bit tired due to the fasting month," he said.

The national team is scheduled to fly to Thailand tonight for two friendlies against Bangkok Bank FC. (17/amd)