Key players back to help RI in clash with Korea

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 07/17/2007 11:18 AM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The return of skipper Ponaryo Astaman and defender Mahyadi Panggabean to the national squad is expected to provide a boost for Indonesia when it takes on South Korea in a do-or-die group clash Wednesday at the Asian Cup.

""It doesn't hurt anymore. I will be ready to face Korea,"" said Ponaryo, who will take over the captaincy from star striker Bambang Pamungkas.

""I hope I can really recover in the remaining two days,"" said Mahyadi on Monday, on the sidelines of a practice session.

Both players were injured in the 2-1 victory over Bahrain in their opening Asian Cup match.

Indonesia's coach Ivan Kolev warned his players to be on the lookout for South Korea's dangerous crosses.

""Korea is a great team. We are totally serious about anticipating their crosses,"" Kolev said, as quoted by Antara.

He said the Pim Verbeek-led team was completely different from the teams Indonesia faced in its first two matches, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

""We rarely see Korean players dribble a ball for a long time, they usually pass it to their mates,"" said Kolev, who turned 50 on Saturday, the same day Indonesia lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1.

All four teams in Group D -- Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and host Indonesia -- still have a chance to make the quarterfinals.

""We must beat Korea to reach the quarters, a draw is not good enough,"" Kolev said.

Indonesia has lost its last five matches against Korea since 1987.

Verbeek -- whose squad sits at the bottom of the group with one draw and one loss -- said Korea must win by at least two goals.

""It will be a tough match because we have to win against Indonesia, who will get a morale boost from the fans,"" he told Antara.

This boost is not only coming from fans, who have been queuing since early Monday to get tickets for Wednesday's match, but also from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who both plan to watch the crucial match from a VIP box.

""I'm proud of our team. They have played as well as the big-name sides,"" Yudhoyono said during an official visit to Padalarang, West Java.

""I call on all Indonesians to fully support our squad. Please, pray for the players so we can win the match.""

Yudhoyono also requested all fans at Bung Karno Stadium stand when the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, is played at the start of the match.

""I don't get paid by the Soccer Association of Indonesia. Our team fought day and night and despite the 2-1 loss (to Saudi Arabia), I told them by phone that I was very proud of them,"" the President said.

Both the Indonesia-South Korea and Saudi Arabia-Bahrain matches will start at 5:20 p.m. The match between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be held at Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, South Sulawesi.

Yuli Tri Suwarni contributed to this story.

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