'RI can learn from loss to Saudis'

JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) should learn a lot from the country's defeat by Saudi Arabia in Sunday's friendly match in Singapore, the assistant national coach Parlin Siagian said Sunday.

The Indonesian team, preparing for the SEA Games here in October and a qualifying round of the 1998 World Cup, lost to Saudi Arabia 0-4.

Parlin said in Singapore that, although it had lost to Saudi Arabia, the team had played well.

"We must admit that Indonesia is far below Saudi Arabia in its quality but I am satisfied by the good performance of our players. The match should be a good lesson for PSSI to develop the team's skill," Parlin was quoted by Antara as saying.