RI cautious about Saudi game

RI cautious about Saudi game

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After a 3-0 win over Yemen in its Group C qualifying soccer
matches for the 2004 Asian Cup, the Indonesian team cautioned
that the next game against host Saudi Arabia would be its true
test.

Team manager Andi Darussalam said that Indonesia looked set
for a difficult game against Saudi Arabia on Friday.

"We all know Saudi Arabia is a strong team and a favorite to
win the group. But we will do our best," Andi said as quoted by
Antara on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia, which has already collected 13 goals in its
defeat of Yemen and Bhutan, currently leads the group. It now has
six points, equal to Indonesia, but the Saudis have a formidable
goal margin advantage.

Indonesia only scored two goals in its 2-0 win over
lightweights Bhutan in the opening match.

In Wednesday's match in Jeddah, which finished after midnight
Jakarta time, Uston Nawawi scored two goals in the 51st and 90th
minute while Zaenal Arif contributed the other in the 62nd
minute.

Andi said that although Yemen provided some difficulties for
the Indonesians in the first half, he was generally satisfied
with the team's performance,

"After the first half, we tried to fix it. We gave input to
the players and apparently they took the coach's instructions
well," he said.