Qatar-RI friendly match postponed

JAKARTA (JP): The Qatar soccer team put off a friendly match with the Indonesian team which was scheduled for Friday as part of the training program for the upcoming Asian Cup in Beirut, Lebanon, from Oct. 12 to Oct. 29.

Spokesman of the All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) Eddie Elison said on Monday that the Qatar team had to return home after finishing its Asian tour in Bangkok on Monday.

"The team originally wanted to play against us as part of its Asian tour after playing Thailand. But the team has to wait for three days before competing against us in the friendly. So it changed its mind and went back home."

Eddie said the national team would test the Singaporean soccer team as a warmup before the Asian Cup. "We're still setting a date for the match, but it might be some time after June 20," he said. (ivy)