China's officials check Stadium

April 3, 2001

Chinese World Cup qualifying team is really serious in their preparations. Even though their match in Jakarta will take place on May 27, still almost two months away, the Chinese FA has already sent their officers to check out the conditions on Bung Karno Main Stadium (formerly known as Senayan).

This contingent consists of four persons: Wei Shao Hui (Chinese FA Head of Secretary) and his staff, and two journalists from China. Accompanied by Indonesia's National Team manager, Irawadi D. Hanafi, they looked very serious in analyzing the stadium.

"Wow, this is a very big stadium. There's no stadium in China as big as this one," said Shao Hui as he looked across inside the 110000-capacity stadium.

In other non-technical issues, the Chinese FA is also being very careful. They refused the offer from Football Association of Indonesia (FAI) on a recommended hotel. Shao Hui said that they will reserve their own chosen hotel.

"We had a bad experience in Maldives. The hotel that the Maldives FA offered had too many mosquitoes," said Shao Hui.

Originally, FAI was about to offer Crown Plaza Hotel in Jakarta to the Chinese team. This is the same hotel that was used to serve other national teams last year in 2000 Independence Cup.

Shao Hui explained that these extra steps are not only done in Indonesia. They have also checked on the stadiums in Maldives and Cambodia.

"We really take this event very seriously, and it's not easy to win this group. At least, there are two teams that have the chances of advancing, China and Indonesia," said Shao Hui humbly.

from Jawa Pos Online (4/2/01)