RI team nervous about against S. Korea
RI team nervous about against S. Korea
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia faces another ordeal and needs extra work to settle its nerves against South Korea in the 1996 Olympic Games qualifying round match at the Senayan stadium tomorrow.
It will obviously be a strenuous test for the young Indonesian soccer players who have prepared themselves thousands of miles away from home in Italy. A loss will land a bitter blow to Indonesia which has been struggling to regain its position on an international level.
The match will be shown live tomorrow at 7 p.m. on ANteve.
"Thank God if we manage to draw with South Korea," Azwar Anas, chairman of the All-Indonesia Football Association, said yesterday. "Even if they lose, I'm not going to lose my gratitude if they perform their best."
Azwar and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman sent off yesterday the country's 20-strong team which hosts South Korea and Hong Kong tomorrow and on Sunday respectively.
"I'm not going to lay too much burden on our players. They are expected to win but I simply want them to give a real challenge to South Korea," Hayono said.
The South Koreans, who arrived here on Monday with a resounding 5-0 win over Hong Kong on Sunday, spent the whole day yesterday working out. Russian coach Anatoly Bychovets picked two 1994 World Cup squad members, goalkeeper Lee Won Jae and defender Yoon Jong Hwan, in its outings.
"I'm afraid we will face an uphill challenge here. Indonesian team looks good, especially due to their two-year stint in Italy," Bychovets, who led Cameroon to the 1990 World Cup, said.
Indonesia's coach Danurwindo has a solid choice on its defensive field covered by Aples Tecuari, Anang Maruf, Eko Pujianto and Yeyen Tumena. South Korea, having a physical advantage, is expected to exploit its brilliant forwards made up of Choi Yong Su, Cho Hyun Doo, Woo Sun Yong and Lee Wong Young.
"Our players, especially defenders, need extra physical endurance to match the South Korean attacking football," a former national team manager, IGK Manila, said. "Despite the fact that we play on home soil, we may need a miracle to beat South Korea," he added. (amd)
Probable team lineups
Indonesia: Kurnia Sandi, Anang Maruf, Aples Tecuari, Eko Pujianto, Yeyen Tumena, Gusnaedi, Ismayana, Bima Sakti, Supriyono, Kurniawan, Indrianto.
South Korea: Lee Won Jae, Chsi Suag Yong, Cho Jong Hwa, Pavic Choong Kyoong, Yoon Jong Hwan, Lee Kyung Soo, Choi Yoon Yeol, Lee Wong Young, Woo Sun Yong, Choi Young Su, Cho Hyun Doo.