Players miss PSSI ceremony

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is disappointed over the absence of players during the ceremony of transfer of the national team's coach from Danurwindo to Henk Wullems.

Tondo Widodo, the association's spokesman, said Thursday that the announcement through the facsimile was sent to each player on Tuesday to attend the ceremony but none of them showed up.

"We have even sent air tickets to players residing outside of Jakarta to attend the ceremony on Thursday," Tondo said as quoted by the Antara news agency.

Tondo further said that PSSI had called on the 20 players for practice in preparation for three matches of the Asian zone World Cup qualifier which Indonesia plays Uzbekistan in Surabaya, East Java on June 1 and two away matches against Yemen in Sanaa on June 13 and Uzbekistan in Uzbekistan on June 20.

The 20 players are Listiyanto Raharjo, Hendro Kartiko, Sudirman, Aples Tecuari, Nuralim, Suwandi HS, Sugiantoro, Agung Setyabudi, Ritham Mabudum, Bima Sakti, Eri Irianto, Supriono, Herman Pulalo, Francis Mawengkang, Marzuki Badriawan, Ansyari Lubis, Irwansyah, Ronny Wabia, Rocky Putiray and Widodo C. Putra.

Wullems of the Netherlands was formally coach for the Pelita Mastrans. He was chosen by PSSI earlier this month to replace Danurwindo who resigned because of family problems.

Wullems was contracted by the association until the 19th SEA Games in October. He is expected to lift up the bad image of the national team.

In the Asian zone World Cup qualifier, Indonesia blanked Cambodia 8-0 but was held 1-1 in a reverse match. The team then was held 0-0 by Yemen.

Andre Amin was appointed as the national team's manager. He was formerly the Pelita Manstrans manager. He was named because he had worked with Wullems at the Jakarta club.

Andre announced that Wullems had appointed Parlin Siagian and Tumpak Sihite as assistant coaches. (lnt)