Courtesy: The Jakarta Globe


Malaysia Braces for Hostile Reception in Futsal Semifinal Clash With Indonesia

February 23, 2010

The opposition will not be the only concern for Malaysia when it begins today’s AFC Cup Asean zone qualifying semifinal against host Indonesia.

From its opening game in the qualifiers, hundreds of spectators at the Tennis Indoor Stadium at Gelora Bung Karno have jeered the Malaysians while applauding their opponents.

Malaysia team manager Dato Hamidin filed an official protest with tournament organizers after some of the spectators whistled while the Malaysian national anthem was played.

“They’re not respecting the Malaysian national anthem,” Hamidin said on Tuesday. “We also asked the organizers for more protection for our players as they’re being intimidated by the spectators.”

Indonesia and Malaysia kick off at 4:15 p.m. The second semifinal, featuring Australia and Vietnam, begins at 6:30 p.m.

Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors have been strained recently. Anti-Malaysia rhetoric reached new heights after a promotional campaign for Malaysian tourism featured a dance from Bali, adding to a list of complaints including the treatment of Indonesian migrant workers and Malaysian attempts to pass off Indonesia’s cultural heritage as its own.

Malaysia coach Maizal Hairi Bin Marzuki believed his players would overcome the crowd.

“After three group matches, our players are getting used to the hostile reception,” Maizal said. “I think Indonesian players will be under more pressure than us. We’re the underdog, so we’ll play without burden.”

Indonesia, which finished second in Group B, has won its last two meetings with Malaysia, including a 7-3 triumph in the AFF Futsal Championship group stage last year.

Maizal said both teams had similar technical skill and, without many changes in Indonesia’s squad, he knew what to expect.

“The semifinal will be more of a mental battle. Whoever has the strongest nerve will win,” he said.

Indonesia coach Robby Hartono promised an entertaining game for spectators.

“We’ll play a fast and attacking game, and we already know of some loopholes in their defense,” he said.

In addition to reaching the final, semifinal winners secure a berth in the Asian Futsal Championship, which takes place on May 23-30 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The winner of the third-place match also qualifies.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com