Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Despite coming in as an underdog, the Maldives' Under-23 soccer team has promised a tough game for host Indonesia in their 2008 Beijing Olympic Games pre-qualifying match here Wednesday.
""We know that Indonesia is a strong team but we have prepared our team. We expect to win 1-0,"" Maldives coach Ali Suzain told reporters on the sidelines of the team's practice session at the main stadium of the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.
""We will focus on our defense because Indonesia has tall and fast strikers. We will rely on one striker up front,"" Suzain said.
The country will rely on 20-year-old striker Ali Ashfaag, who was linked with Portugal's Benfica last year.
Suzain said the majority of his squad took part in the Doha Asian Games last December. However, seven members from that Asian Games side had to be dropped because they are over 23.
Suzain, who took over the helm on Jan. 24, said his players were ready for a battle.
""We don't have any problems with the weather here, which is similar to the Maldives. We're surprised to see that Indonesia has a good stadium. So far, I only knew that Singapore and Malaysia have good stadiums,"" he said.
The host is upbeat about its chances in the match.
""If we can qualify for the next round with a single goal, then one goal is enough,"" Indonesia's newly appointed coach Ivan Venkov Kolev of Bulgaria said.
The home team's optimism, however, is shadowed by injuries to several of its top players, including striker Gherry Nugraha and midfielder Herman Rhomansyah. Striker Jajang Mulyana is also unfit for the match, so Indonesia will rely on sole striker Andik Ardiansyah.
Indonesia and Maldives will play in a home-and-away round for the opportunity to join Group C with Lebanon, Oman and Vietnam.
Indonesia's Under-20 team met Maldives in the 2003 Asia Cup, with Indonesia coming out on top 3-0.
Wednesday's match is unlikely to play to a full house because of flooding in the capital, Soccer Association of Indonesia secretary-general Nugraha Besoes said.
""I have contacted some groups of supporters, like Persija's Jakmania and Persikota of Tangerang, asking them to send fans to help root on our team during the match,"" he said.
The match will be aired live on RCTI at 3:30 p.m. The next game will be in Male, the Maldives, on Feb. 14.
