Players blamed for own goal in Tiger Cup match

Players blamed for own goal in Tiger Cup match

JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesia Soccer Federation (PSSI)
concluded on Tuesday that two national team defenders responsible
for a deliberate own goal in a crucial Tiger Cup match against
Thailand recently had defied their coach's instructions.

PSSI secretary general Nugraha Besoes admitted after a
marathon questioning session with coach Rusdy Bahalwan that
Indonesia did not want to win the final group match, but neither
Rusdy or team manager Andrie Amien had ordered their players to
score an own goal.

"Both players were acting on their own initiative when they
plotted the own goal," Nugraha said.

Mursyid Effendy stroked the ball into his own net after
receiving a defensive pass from Kuncoro in the dying seconds of
the match to give Thailand an unwanted 3-2 win. The result earned
Thailand a semifinal meeting with host Vietnam.

However the federation failed to announce what disciplinary
measures would be imposed on the two errant players. Nugroho said
the federation was awaiting the return of chairman Agum Gumelar,
who is currently in Malaysia, before deciding on how to punish
the two players.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) suspended both
Indonesia and Thailand from international matches pending a
report from a special fact-finding team. The special team will
finish its job in October.

"We have to accept this sanction and we only hope that the AFC
will consider abolishing it soon," Nugraha said.

Earlier in the day, former national coach Henk Wullems
expressed disappointment that Rusdy's squad deliberately let in
an own goal in their match against Thailand.

"People cannot put the blame on the players only. The match
was memalukan (shameful)," said the Dutch coach.

He questioned the AFC's decision to suspend Indonesia and
Thailand from all international matches until further notice.

"Well, it's really a pity if the AFC bans Indonesia. We can't
groom athletes without competition," he said. He was also
surprised to learn that this might mean Indonesia is unable to
play in next year's qualifying round for the 2000 Olympics.

Wullems met National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo
Arismunandar to discuss an offer by the Dutch government, through
its national soccer association KNVB, to provide technical
assistance to the troubled Indonesian soccer authorities.

Wullems said the KNVB would probably assign him and some of
his colleagues to help the PSSI improve its organizational
skills, athletes' development program and competition
arrangements.

"Now it depends on the new PSSI leadership. If they want me to
coach the national team, I'll think it over," he told a media
conference after the meeting.

Wullems added he would meet Agum next week.

The Dutchman is on a nostalgic vacation to Indonesia with his
wife. He guided the national soccer team to the silver medal in
the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last year. Indonesia lost to
Thailand on penalties in an eventful final marred by hooliganism.

PSSI did not extend its contract with Wullems following a
deadlock in negotiations over Wullems' monthly salary which, in
rupiah terms, had soared due to the rupiah's depreciation against
the U.S. dollar.

Wullems said it was the Netherlands' internal affairs
minister, Bram Peper, who asked him to develop Indonesian soccer.
Peper is a good friend of President B.J. Habibie.

"If PSSI agrees to accept our offer, I will need support from
other Dutch coaches to arrange coaching clinics and programs for
young players and clubs, and help PSSI improve its organizational
structure," he said.

Wullems said Indonesia needed more knowledge and experience to
manage the national team as well as develop the sport.

"It'll take about 10 years before Indonesian soccer performs
better. Young players need opportunities to play and compete," he
said. (yan/lnt)