Wimbo Satwiko

Indonesian National Football Squad Needs Goals in Kuwait City

Indonesia’s place at the 2011 Asian Cup hinges on getting at least four points against Kuwait.

Sitting bottom of Group B, it needs as many points as possible from Saturday’s match in Kuwait City and the return leg on Wednesday in Jakarta.

Saturday’s match can be seen on RCTI at 10:30 p.m.

“The boys are in good condition, except Boaz Solossa, who is still nursing his injury. We have yet to decide whether he will play or not,” assistant coach Tiastono Taufiq told the Jakarta Globe by text message on Friday.

Boaz aggravated an existing thigh strain when Indonesia played a warm-up match against Salmiya Sporting Club on Tuesday. The match ended 0-0.

“After playing the tryout match on Tuesday, we measured our weaknesses and strengths. We may play defensively [on Saturday],” Tiastono said.

Coach Benny Dollo deployed a 4-2-3-1 with Bambang Pamungkas as the lone striker. Charis Yulianto and Nova Arianto played in central defense, with Ismed Sofyan and Maman Abdurrahman at fullback in front of Markus Harris Maulana.

Syamsul Chaerudin and Ponaryo Astaman operated as holding midfielders, with Muhammad Ilham, Boaz and Eka Ramdani playing more advanced in midfield.

“They managed to limit their mistakes, at least not as many as they made against Singapore. The back line was solid,” Tiastono said. “We hope all the players will be in top form against Kuwait.”

Indonesia lost 3-1 in a friendly at Singapore on Nov. 4, conceding all three goals on set plays.

Kuwait, meanwhile, enjoyed a more demanding warm-up as it drew 2-2 with China on Nov. 8.

Indonesia is last in the group after 0-0 draws at Oman and home to Australia. Kuwait fell 1-0 at home against Oman before beating Australia 1-0 in Canberra on March 5. Australia and Oman sit atop the group with four points each after the Socceroos beat Oman 1-0 at home on Oct. 14.

The Indonesian Football Association has secured Gelora Bung Karno Stadium for Wednesday’s qualifier, PSSI secretary general Nugraha Besoes said.

“We have obtained the police and other permits. Now we’re trying to sort the ticket matter,” he said. “We’re planning to issue about 60,000 tickets, but we have yet to decide the price.”

The match will be the Indonesian senior team’s first home date since the qualifier against Australia on Jan. 28.

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