Yemen won't take RI lightly in World Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is a country that must not be taken lightly in the World Cup Asian zone qualifier (Group Five) to be held in Manado, North Sulawesi, said the coach for the Yemen team, Hazim Jassim of Iraq.

Jassim said in Yemen, as quoted by Antara Sunday, that Indonesia is one of the strongest teams in Asia and should not be taken lightly.

"We have to prepare ourselves well before facing Indonesia on April 13 since the match will be witnessed by the Indonesian people," Jassim said.

Jassim said for the April 13 match, the Yemen team will hold a number of trial matches in Saudi Arabia until April 8. The team left Yemen Sunday.

"We have decided not to hold trial matches in Yemen but instead in Saudi Arabia so as to know the strength of the team and at the same time evaluate the match against Indonesia," Jassim said.

The Yemen team was formed two months ago and consists of young players in the range of 23-years-old. Jassim expects his team could make a surprise win.

The match between Indonesia and Yemen will be held at the Klabat Stadium, 20 kilometers from the Sam Ratulangi airport. The stadium can accommodate 25,000 spectators.

Preparations are still underway for the one-day match.

Jeffrey Talumepa, the secretary of Manado's Persma club, said recently that organizers were preparing for the match.

"One of the preparations is the renovation of the stadium. The renovation includes laying new grass, adding lighting and cleaning up the dressing rooms and bathrooms," Jeffrey said.

Indonesia will also host other qualifying matches in Jakarta and Surabaya, East Java.

The Jakarta Senayan stadium will host a match between Indonesia and Cambodia on April 27 and Surabaya will host an Indonesian-Uzbekistan match on June 1. (lnt)