W. Cup still a dream for Indonesians

Novan Iman Santosa and Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

"When will Indonesia take part in the World Cup?" Dik Doang, a local TV presenter and soccer quiz host, sighed. Sporting a yellow jersey, he stares longingly at a large picture of world soccer star Alessandro Del Piero of Italy.

Suddenly, the picture comes alive and Dik is "sucked" through a twilight zone-like passage and lands on both feet in front of the 27-year-old striker in an unidentified soccer field.

After a bit of chat, they play until Dik is thrown off the field back to reality. Del Piero gives a brief message in Italian to Dik, who appeared to understand his words, before "freezing" back in the poster once again. Dik looks happy as if he has received an answer from the soccer god.

Get real! The scene only appears in a commercial advertisement for a local energy drink producer, who sponsors the broadcast of the 2002 World Cup on RCTI, the privately-run TV station.

Yes, we've got their message. But taking the aforementioned question into a discussion with experts and fans usually comes to a dead end.

Soccer observer Eddy Ellison, told The Jakarta Post in a phone interview that the large population in Indonesia and a disoriented approach were the problems hindering soccer development.

"A large number of players need a large number of qualified coaches and a strong competition system. We lack them all. I'm afraid we have failed to reach a level of ideal soccer professionalism in all aspects."

Eddy recalled renowned Dutch coach Rinus Michel said that Indonesian soccer needed to become professional, when he toured the country in 1993.

"Rinus also said Indonesia was lagging 10 years behind countries like Thailand in terms of soccer development. We need to use more scientific and medical approaches," Eddy said.

Although Indonesia is far from qualifying for the final round, it does not prevent many Indonesians from celebrating or participating as fans in the month-long competition.

"Sandra" is not a soccer-crazed fan, but she is happy that she does not have to wake up after midnight to prepare coffee, soft drinks and snacks for her husband to the watch the games. The 1998 Cup was broadcasted at dawn because of the time difference between France and Indonesia.

With most matches aired live in the afternoon Jakarta time, she can finish her job at her office and will not get her dreams disrupted. However, her husband "Tommy" cannot fetch her from office because he plans to skip work to watch the games.

"As a marketing officer, who spends most of his time outside the office, he can easily go home and see the soccer match," she grumbled. "He also will be able to fib to his boss and say he was playing golf with his client while in fact he will be watching the match at a cafe."

"He has been planning that for several months," she added.

Tommy is only one of millions of people around the world who are willing to sacrifice anything to watch the month-long event.

He arranges his schedule to watch the match in cafes or hotels with his friends. He also bought soccer some soccer souvenirs including his favorite country's jersey, France.

"I think France has the best chance to win this year. Their players are great and they have a great motivation to retain the Cup," he told the Post, sounding like a TV commentator, before the drubbing by Senegal on Friday evening.

Now is the time to enjoy the thrill of victory or lament the agony of defeat for your favorite team.

"I believe England will make it to the final this time especially after David Beckham's recovery," said "Nia", a housewife.

Taxi driver Yasin said he and his sons supported defending champion France.

"It was just bad luck that Senegal won 1-0 in the opener. But I'm sure France will be stronger once Zinedine Zidane is back on the field," he said.

"But the problem is that the matches are aired during the afternoon while I have to work looking for passengers. I must sneak out so I can watch them. But then I must hurriedly look for passengers to get my daily quota," he added with a grin.

Unlike four years ago when soccer fans could switch channels to view the Cup, this year only RCTI has the rights for broadcasting. From 64 matches, RCTI will air 45 matches live and the 19 delayed matches will be shown after midnight.

"We have asked other stations to buy and broadcast some of the matches. But none of them seemed interested," said RCTI spokesman Teguh Juwarno.

Those who want to stage the World Cup for public viewing, such as in bars and cafes, should obtain permission from RCTI. Anyone wanting to cheat will end up disappointed as ESPN and Star Sports cable channels will not show the matches.

When asked if Indonesia would ever get to play in the world soccer extravaganza, Tommy simply replied: "Ha ha ha ... dream on!"

Tommy's laugh might sum up Indonesians' pessimism on the country's chance to qualify for the World Cup.

But as the fact reveals, most Indonesians are merely satisfied to be spectators of the "big boys", not only for the World Cup but also many other world events. It is understandable, because achieving on such a level would actually mean hard work and big cash.