SEA Games core team in July

SEA Games core team in July

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) will
announce its core team for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
before leaving for a series of friendlies in Perth, Western
Australia, from July 16 to July 24.

SEA Games team manager Irawadi D. Hanafi said Wednesday that
only 20 out of 24 players would perform in Kuala Lumpur. The
soccer qualifying rounds will start on Sept. 1 but Indonesia will
play its opener on Sept. 2 against the Philippines.

"We have to make a quick decision because our training period
is short. Moreover, the players cannot attend the full training
program as they have to join their clubs for the Bank Mandiri
national league. Hopefully, all the key players can take part in
full training in August," he said.

Speaking on the allegation that Barito Putra's Sunar Sulaeman
ahd lied about his age, Irawadi said the PSSI had received copies
of his high school diploma and birth certificate, both of which
stated that Sunar was born in 1979.

"The certificate and diploma are valid. I'll continue the
investigation by sending an official to his former school in
Makassar, South Sulawesi. Sunar will be selected anyway although
he won't automatically join the team. He's suffering from an
injury and the doctor has said he will need three weeks of rest
before playing again." (ivy)