Indonesian team arrives

KOCHI, JAN 8. This should be good news for India. The Indonesian soccer team which landed here on Monday for the Sahara Millennium Cup is not its national side. The majority of its players come from the Harimau Tapanuli Club, the Indonesian league champion.

With its professional league, the Ligina, slated for a January 14 take-off, the Indonesian soccer federation (PSSI) decided to keep its national team and its stars back home. PSM Makassar is the professional league winner.

Indonesia, the first team to arrive here for the Kochi leg, has come with an interesting mix. And the presence of a few foreigners - four Australians, two Thais and a Cameroonian - in the side has raised some confusion here.

``We will not allow `outsiders' in national teams. But if they are naturalised Indonesian citizens, the players will be cleared,'' said the All India Football Federation secretary, Mr. Alberto Colaco this evening. ``However, we will consult the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) before taking a final decision tomorrow,'' he added.

Mr. Johny Pardede, the Indonesian team manager who is also the president of the Harimau Tapanuli Club. Colly Misrun, a prolific scorer in the Indonesian league, is the captain of the side.

``We don't know much about Indian football, but we have heard that it has improved a lot in the last few years,'' said Mr. Pardede. There is however one face in the team which is familiar with Indian soccer. Kowit Foythong came to Calcutta with the Thailand team for the Nehru Cup a few years ago.

Indonesia is clubbed with India, Iceland and Uruguay in Group II. And the absence of big names in the Indonesian team should cheer the home side a lot.

Indonesian team: Suprayetno, Cory James Hugo (both goalkeepers), Subandi, Petrus Barus, Agustiono, Kowit Foythong, Jean Sunday, Zul Fitri (all defenders), Erwin, Troy Albert Bernard, Tassapon Inkaew, Douglas Edward, Amran (all midfielders), Johny Ernesto Micro, Colly Misrun, Suhariono, Misio, Iskandar Jalil (forwards). Coach: Zein Azhar Harahap. Asst coach: Kisharianto Pasaribu. Manager: Johny Pardede.

- Our Sports Reporter.

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