RI-Yemen match moves from Manado to Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesia Football Federation (PSSI) will hold the World Cup Asian zone group five qualifier between Indonesia and Yemen at the Senayan stadium here on April 13.

Federation chairman Azwar Anas said in Padang, West Sumatra, yesterday that the match had originally been planned for Manado, North Sulawesi.

"North Sulawesi Governor EE Mangindaan informed us (the federation) on Sunday night that they had canceled the scheduled match in Manado," Azwar said in Padang yesterday.

Azwar, who is also Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, explained that Manado had canceled the World Cup qualifier because it could not guarantee security during the match.

"The governor told us that he could not guarantee security should the North Sulawesi town hold the match. For this reason, he decided to cancel the match," Azwar was quoted by Antara as saying.

FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have been concerned about competition security in Indonesia.

FIFA questioned security after a riot broke out among supporters and footballers at the Klabat Stadium, Manado, in an Indonesian League competition.

Last week a brawl occurred during a match between two local teams in North Sulawesi. Spectators rushed to the field and attacked several footballers, injuring some.

Riot

Azwar feared there could be a riot at the Indonesia-Yemen match, and hence tough sanctions from FIFA.

"If there is a riot during the Indonesia-Yemen match, PSSI will certainly get sanction from FIFA. That is what we fear," Azwar said Sunday after watching the match between Indonesia and Cambodia.

Indonesia blanked minnow Cambodia 8-0 before about 35,000 spectators. The match was without incident.

Azwar said the Manado people were very enthusiastic about the Indonesia-Yemen match, but security had become a problem.

"We have to take precautions on security. If there should be a riot, this could be fatal for both the country and PSSI," Azwar said.

Azwar said the federation would inform FIFA soon about the new venue.

Indonesia will host another World Cup qualifier on June 1 in Surabaya, East Java, when it plays Uzbekistan.

Azwar said the federation was still considering holding the match there. "The match in Surabaya is still a long way off. We are also concerned about security there."

Standings of the teams in the World Cup Asian zone qualifier:(lnt)

Group 1:

GP W D L GF GA Pts Saudi Arabia 6 5 1 0 18 1 16 Malaysia 6 3 2 1 5 3 11 Taiwan 6 1 1 4 4 13 4 Bangladesh 6 1 0 5 4 14 3

Group 2: Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Syria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Maldives 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kyrgyzstan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 June 2-15

Group 3: UAE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jordan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bahrain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 April 8-26

Group 4: Japan 3 3 0 0 17 0 9 Oman 3 2 0 1 5 1 6 Macao 3 0 1 2 1 15 1 Nepal 3 0 1 2 1 8 1

Group 5: Indonesia 1 1 0 0 8 0 3 Uzbekistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yemen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cambodia 1 0 0 1 0 8 0

Group 6: South Korea 2 2 0 0 5 1 6 Thailand 3 1 0 2 5 6 3 Hong Kong 3 1 0 2 3 6 3

Group 7: Kuwait 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lebanon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Singapore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 April 13-June 22

Group 8: China 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tajikistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Turkmenistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vietnam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May 4-June 22

Group 9: Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kazakstan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pakistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May 11-June 29

Group 10: Qatar 3 3 0 0 14 0 9 Sri Lanka 3 1 1 1 4 4 4 India 3 1 1 1 3 7 4 Philippines 3 0 0 3 0 10 0