PSM unsure of Mattoangin renovation

JAKARTA (JP): PSM management has been in doubt about being able to meet the deadline for renovating the Mattoangin Stadium in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will announce the host for the Asian Champions Cup next week.

Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) spokesman, Eddi Elison, said on Monday that only 55 percent of the facilities had been renovated while PSM only had one week remaining before the deadline.

Eddi said he had visited Makassar on Feb. 16 to see the progress of renovation of PSM-based Mattoangin Stadium as requested by AFC representatives during their visit on Jan. 14.

"They promised to return later this month to see if the stadium is appropriate to host the Cup's quarterfinals," he said as quoted by Antara.

AFC sent David Tully, Alex Soosay and Simpson Samson on Jan. 14 to supervise PSM's preparations in hosting the Cup, to be staged from March 21 to March 25.

Based on AFC's inspection, the stadium needed a total renovation of the field itself, lighting system, tribune seats and players' lounge, including their changing rooms.

The lighting system, which was ordered from China, is scheduled to arrive in Makassar on Feb. 26 and will be installed several days later.

PSM technical advisor, Nurdin Halid, said PSM management has reached 60 percent in its renovation works.

"I think with the remaining time, we can finish all required works and PSM can become the Asian Champions Cup host," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

PSSI head of foreign affairs commission, Wandi Batang Taris, suggested if Mattoangin Stadium's renovation failed to meet the required date, PSM could have asked AFC to use the Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, or Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

PSM will be pitched against Jubilo Iwata of Japan, Suwon Samsung Bluewings of South Korea and Sandong Lumen Thaysan of China for two places in the semifinals. (yan)