RI soccer squad full of optimism despite injuries
RI soccer squad full of optimism despite injuries
JAKARTA (JP): Undefeated in the 2002 World Cup Group Nine
qualifying round, Indonesia will enter Sunday's away match with
Maldives in Male optimistic of continued success.
Team manager Irawadi D. Hanafi said on Tuesday he was
optimistic his squad would outshine Maldives in their second
encounter despite a number of injuries sustained during last
week's match against Cambodia.
"We must maintain our optimism. We realize that Maldives
managed to hold hot favorite China to one goal on their home
soil. Therefore, we must remain cautious," he said.
Key striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, who has a sprained ankle,
resumed practicing on Tuesday at the team's temporary training
camp in Singapore. Midfielder Yaris Riyadi was able to take part
in a light workout despite having six stitches in his temple. The
two were injured during Indonesia's 2-0 victory over Cambodia
last Sunday.
Substitute goalkeeper I Komang Putra was sent home after
injuring his leg during a practice session last Thursday in Phnom
Penh.
"So far we don't need another substitute goalie. If Hendro
Kartiko is injured during the match against Maldives, we'll
consider calling on Wawan Darmawan of Persijatim.
"As for Kurniawan, he told me that he just a sprain and would
be able to play at full strength after four or five days of
treatment. But I'm not sure if Yaris will be able to play in
Sunday's match because a physician in Phnom Penh told us he would
need at least one week of rest," Irawadi said.
The manager said the national team was still looking for a
squad to scrimmage against in Singapore before leaving for Male
on Thursday.
Indonesia was scheduled to face the Singaporean under-23 team,
on Wednesday, but the match was canceled because the Singapore
squad left the country for overseas training.
Indonesia sits atop Group Nine with three victories in three
matches, setting the scene for an intriguing showdown when it
travels to Kunming, China, on May 13. The heavily favored Chinese
have also won all of their matches, just edging past Maldives
last Saturday. (ivy)