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)