Tuesday December 28, 2004

Tiger Cup match to begin with a minute’s silence for tsunami victims

BY S. SIVABALAN

It couldn’t be more fitting.

The start of tonight’s Tiger Cup semi-final first-leg tie between Indonesia and Malaysia will be preceded by a one-minute silence as a mark of respect for the thousands of lives lost when a deadly earthquake and tsunami waves ripped through South and South-East Asia on Sunday.

The players from both teams too will wear black armbands for the match, which will be held at Stadium Utama Senayan here.

Sunday's quake, off the coast of Aceh province on the northern Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggered tidal waves that hit the Andaman Islands, Maldives, Kenya, Somalia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

The tragedy has certainly taken the gloss off the match. Players and officials were more interested about their loved ones instead of worrying about the match itself.

When Malaysian national coach Bertalan Bicskei first heard news of the tsunami waves hitting the coastal areas back home, he quickly called his wife, who was holidaying in Pulau Pangkor with their son.

“I called them immediately to find out what happened after listening to reports from the media. When I reached them, they told me they were already on their way to Kuala Lumpur ... so I was relieved,” said Bicskei.

“Chow Chee Weng, who is from Penang, is also relieved to know that his family is all right. He told me that his family is now staying in Kuala Lumpur. So, everyone is fine in the team.”

Penang was among the worst hit region, with scores dead and many more injured when tidal waves of up to five metres hit the northern coast of Malaysia.

Even Indonesian skipper Ponaryo Astaman was relieved to find that none of his teammates' relatives in Aceh were affected by the quake.

“We spoke to all the players, they are ready to play under the tragic circumstances,” said Ponaryo yesterday.

Indonesian coach Peter Withe feels that the disaster has put the semi-final match into perspective.

“There is so much happening right now that needs immediate action. When we compare that to the semi-final match, I don’t think the match is very important,” said the Englishman.

“Don’t get me wrong. I am not looking for excuses if the team fail to win. The players are ready for the big match ... it’s going to be exciting for sure.”

Tragic though it is, the players and officials know that the game has to go on.

And on the pitch, the Indonesians will surely be all fired up to give their fans, especially those in Sumatra who bore the brunt of the quake, something to cheer about.

As such, the Malaysians can expect the Indonesians to go on the offensive right from the first whistle.

And that’s exactly what Malaysian skipper Rosdi Talib expects tonight.

“I expect the Indonesians to come out with guns blazing. As such, the defenders, including me, had better be prepared to work overtime. Khaironnisam (Shahabuddin), Norhafiz (Zamani Misbah), Wan Rohaimi (Ismail) and I will have to be at our very best,” Rosdi said yesterday.

The Indonesians’ preparations, however, were hampered when they could not get all their players together for training. Two of their players – Elie Aiboy and Jack Kowboy – only reported to camp yesterday.

Despite the setback, Withe prefers to look on the bright side.

“I like to look at the positive side of the picture. I know I only had the players for the past five days. You don’t really need so much time with the players. I have worked with them before so they know what to do,” said Withe.

Indonesia will also be missing the services of two key players – strikers Ilham Jaya Kesuma and Boas Salossa – who are on one-match suspensions.

But Withe's not complaining.

“This type of situation is normal. We have enough depth in the team to cover their absences,” said Withe.

There is one thing that bugs the Englishman, though. He can't understand why group winners have to play the first-leg of the semi-final at home.

“Anyone with some football sense will know that group champions should play their away match first. Of course, I am disappointed with the current arrangement,” said Withe.

That aside, Withe knows his men will have to take the game to the Malaysians if they are to enjoy a comfortable cushion for the return leg.

Bicskei's boys have been warned.

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