Women's soccer team to recruit ABRI members

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is to recruit players from the Armed Forces for the 19th SEA Games women's national soccer team here next year.

National coach Muhardi said yesterday the women's soccer tournament, bearing the name of the Armed Forces Commander, is one way to select players for the national team.

"I prefer to take players from the forces' team because of their strong physical and mental condition," he said.

Gen. Feisal Tanjung said in his opening speech that the tournament will pick the best players from eight participating teams for the national team.

Muhardi said Kowabri and Buana Putri players are strong candidates for the national squad.

"Technically, their players are better than the forces' team but their physical condition is poor," Muhardi said.

Indonesia sees Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore as the toughest rivals in next year's Games.

Indonesian Women's Soccer League spokesman, La Tofi, said the national team will be set up in January and will undergo a national training program.

The program will take place in Jakarta, either at the Armed Forces' headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, or at the league's base camp in Sawangan, Bogor.

Muhardi said 40 players will take part in the program's first phase. In March, the number will be pared down to 25 team members.

The team will undergo training for six months before flying to China for an overseas stint for one month.

"We chose China because its team cruised to the last Olympics final," Muhardi said.

The squad will also undergo tryouts in South Korea, Hong Kong and China Taipei.

Meanwhile, the Kowabri team defeated Putri Mataram 5-0 yesterday. Leftwinger Lita produced a first goal for the team in the 20th minute and another goal in the 61st minute. Strikers Ina produced two goals in the 43rd and 53rd minutes, teammate Hendarjeta executed another goal in the 60th minute. (yan)