Bima Sakti: "We will destroy Maldives"

April 6, 2001

National team skipper for the World Cup qualifiers Bima Sakti said on Thursday (4/5) that all the players are determined to destroy Maldives on their first match at Bung Karno Stadium on Monday (4/8).

"We will give our best performances to score as many goals on them as possible," said Bima firmly.

He explained that the players' spirits are burned up after they heard the news that Cambodia was slaughtered 0-6 by Maldives in Male last week.

"We must be careful, but we're not afraid at all. If we win big in Jakarta, then the match in Male will become easier. All the players are determined to crush them," said the fiery skipper.

Meanwhile, national team's striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto understands that he will be marked heavily by the Maldives players in the match. His name has been uttered often in that island country as one of Indonesia's most dangerous strikers.

"I've heard about that, and it's no problem for me. I'm used to being tightly man-marked. I do my best to escape the marking and I will use every moment to try to score a goal," said the target man.

In the match against Maldives, national team will only registers three strikers in the line-up. Because of that, current league's top scorer Budi Sudarsono has to be left out.

"I'm new to the national team, and I understand what the head coach is trying to do. I'm not disappointed. But when I get my chance, I will try as quickly as possible to score my first goal for the Red-and-White squad," said the youngster.

Head coach Benny Dollo said that he will come to the Maldives's team practice session at Bung Karno Stadium on Friday (4/6) for just a few moments and try to get a picture on what kind of a team they are.

"Hopefully, I'll get a glance of their characters and play. But whatever happens, all the boys are ready, both physically and mentally, for the fight on Sunday," said Benny.

Maldives national team will arrive in Jakarta on Friday morning from Singapore by using Singapore Airlines. Later during the day, they will start their training session at Bung Karno Stadium. During their visit in Jakarta, they will stay in Century Jakarta Hotel.

Indonesian national team will be officially released to the event by Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Chairman Agum Gumelar on Friday night at 'Balai Agung Betawi' (Betawi Grand Hall). This occasion will be held in Santika Hotel in Jakarta. Then, press meeting of both teams will be held on Saturday (4/7) morning at 11:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Standard Time) in PSSI Secretariat Office.

from PSSI Website (4/5/01)