Local Names Nominated for National Team Head Coach

In addition to several foreign names nominated for Indonesian national team head coach earlier last week, FAI (Football Association of Indonesia) has also nominated three local coaches for the position. Meanwhile, FAI scout committee will put forth the results of their observations next week.

Eddi Elison, FAI Public Relations Officer, revealed to the press in Jakarta today (2/19).

According to him, the three local coaches nominated are Sutan Harhara, Benny Dollo, and Rusdy Bahalwan.

"Aside from their excellent resumes, Sutan and Rusdy are not managing any club right now. Benny, on the other hand, is considered because he's been very successful with Persita Tangerang," said Eddi.

Sutan Harhara is the architect behind the rise of the "Magical Baby" Persikota Kab. Tangerang. Persikota was founded in 1994, started in the Second Division, and then achieved promotions to the First and Premier Divisions in successive seasons. They reached the pedigree last year, when they made it to the semifinals of Indonsian League VI. Sutan resigned from Persikota earlier this season for unknown reasons, and has not managed any other club ever since.

Rusdy Bahalwan is arguably one of the best coaches in Indonesia, even though he was banned from coaching by FAI for a year, after the humiliating scandal in 1998 Tiger Cup. He was the national team head coach then. Among his many other accomplishments was his outstanding spell with Persebaya Surabaya.

He's also not managing any club at the moment. Benny Dollo is the current head coach of Persita Tangerang, and the newly-promoted team started this season with astonishing accomplishments. They're leading the current standing of the Western Conference, and haven't shown any sign of slowing down.

The main reason for appointing a local man for the position is that the little time available before 2002 World Cup - Asian Qualification matches: less than two months away. It is feared that if a foreign coach is appointed, he will have a hard time adjusting and finding the right composition. But it doesn't rule out that for long-term goals, a foreign coach will be hired.

"We're still looking for a suitable foreign coach, but we're short on time for the WC qualification matches. Maybe for SEA (South-East Asian) Games XXI in Malaysia and other events, we will use a foreign coach," said Eddi.

Furthermore, Eddi also said that even though no national team head coach has been announced yet, the scout committee has been on intensive observations, proposing players to be evaluated for the national team squad. The final results will be submitted next week.

"FAI has assigned Tumpak Sihite, Bambang Nurdiansyah, and Yopie Leipel to observe players in the two conferences. We can expect the final results next week," said Eddi.

Asked about how many players will be in the list, Eddi said there will be approximately 30 to 35 names. These players will have to pass further evaluations, since there will be no more than 20-something players in the national squad.

"We can expect quite a number of U-23 players in the squad. This is done as our preparation to determine the national team squad for SEA Games," said Eddi.

Just like the Olympics, only U-23 players will be allowed to compete in SEA Games football event.

from: Media Indonesia