SEA Games squad warned about hostile environment in Indonesia

Malaysian Under-23 football team for the SEA Games in Jakarta have been warned to be ready for the “Barracuda“ fear ride.

FA of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said the players have to be prepared for eventualities, especially when they play the host nation in the final Group A match at the notorious Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan on Nov 17.

“Everyone understands the tense situation over there where the fans are concerned.  If we have to go through the police armoured vehicle, or the “Barracuda” ride, the same way the national team had to in the Suzuki Cup (AFF championships) last year … so be it,” said Azzuddin.

“They are the organisers and it is their call on security measures. We can only hope for the best as we are at their mercy.”

On the security measures, Azzuddin assured that the team would be well protected as they would be accompanied by a police officer at all times.

“We insisted that they include a police officer in our transport package,” said Azzuddin.

In the Suzuki Cup last December, Malaysia defeated Indonesia 4-2 on aggregate in the two-leg final. The national team and officials were ferried into the Bung Karno Stadium in a police armoured vehicle.

The host nation did not want to risk the safety of the Malaysian team given the volatile nature of their fans. The FAM have also made arrangements to fly the team out of Jakarta on Nov 21 – the final day of the football competition.

Azzuddin said this was to facilitate the team’s preparations for their Asian Zone final round qualifying campaign for the 2012 London Olympics. Malaysia host Syria and Bahrain on Nov 23 and Nov 27 respectively.

“Under FIFA competition regulations, players must have at least 48 hours of rest after an international game.

“Since Syria have failed to accommodate our request to postpone the match, we have no choice but to fly out of Jakarta on Nov 21. This is provided we first qualify for the semi-finals.

In fact, we have three options on their return passage … everything is in place,” said Azzuddin.

Malaysia are drawn in Group A with Singapore (Nov 7), Thailand (Nov 9), Cambodia (Nov 13) and hosts Indonesia (Nov 17).

The semi-finals are scheduled for Nov 19 and the final on Nov 21.