RI looking for first win against Sri Lanka

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

The Indonesian soccer team can't afford to slip up in its 2006 World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday if it wants to keep its hopes alive of making the next stage.

Indonesia is currently bottom of Group 8 after losing in its previous two matches. The Sri Lankans have also been winless but they have conceded less goals than the Indonesians.

Turkmenistan, which defeated Indonesia 3-1 and Sri Lanka 2-0, currently leads the group with six points, equal with second- placed Saudi Arabia, which chalked a 3-0 and 1-0 win respectively over Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament consists of 32 teams split into eight groups of four. The group winners advance to the final qualifying stage next year.

Indonesia manager Andi Darussalam said Sri Lanka's defensive play had proved an effective shield against goal scorers.

However, he said the Indonesians could expect a switch in strategy by Sri Lanka in Wednesday's match at Jakarta's Bung Karno stadium.

"Sri Lanka might see an opportunity to win this game. That's why we think they won't be using such a tight defensive line," Andi said on Tuesday.

The hosts would be ready for any possible plot employed by their opponents, he said.

Coach Ivan Kolev, who admitted to having analysed Sri Lanka's playing style against Saudi Arabia on video, hinted at Indonesia's determination to attack from the start in a bid to win the game.

Sri Lanka has arrived with a squad of 18 players but without captain Duddly Stenwall, who has been suspended after collecting two yellow cards.

Coach Sampath Perera said his team was confident about the game and would be content just to win a point.

Sri Lanka opted not to play warm-up games ahead of Wednesday's match, citing the players' tight schedule.

Indonesia has had one friendly game against India that ended in a 1-1 draw last week. India has a tougher task on Wednesday, facing Asian champion Japan.

On paper Indonesia should be able to overcome Sri Lanka, which is ranked 137th in the world compared to Indonesia's 95.

Wednesday's fixtures: Iran v Jordan Qatar v Laos Uzbekistan v Palestine Iraq v Chinese Taipei Oman v Singapore Japan v India China v Malaysia Kuwait v Hong Kong UAE v Yemen Thailand v North Korea Syria v Tajikistan Bahrain v Kyrgyzstan South Korea v Vietnam Lebanon v Maldives Saudi Arabia v Turkmenistan Indonesia v Sri Lanka