RI-Yemen match moves from Manado to Jakarta
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