By Duncan Mackay
January 13 – Indonesia’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup is facing another set-back after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warned the Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) that they could face disciplinary action following several incidents, including a one-man pitch invasion, during the 2011 Asian Cup pre-qualifying in Jakarta last week.
The most serious incident was when an Indonesian fan, Hendri Mulyadi , who was so disappointed with his side’s poor performance in the must-win match at the Bung Karno Stadium, that he took the matter into his own hands and jumped onto the pitch in the dying minutes.
Barefooted Mulyadi dribbled the ball up to Oman’s goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who plays for the English Premier League team Bolton Wanderers, and took a weak shot at the goal.
Mulyadi has become something of a celebrity in Indonesia after his side’s 2-1 defeat but the AFC have launched an investigation as to how a fan got access to the pitch so easily.
It was the culmination of a match that was stopped several times because of firecrackers and other objects being thrown onto the pitch.
The AFC has previously fined the PSSI $10,000 for an incident in match between Indonesia and Kuwait and they now face the prospect of being banned from playing at home, which would effectively end their hopes of continuing with their bid for the World Cup, which is already under threat because of lack of Government funding.
Nugraha Besoes, the secretary general of the PSSI, said: “It depends on the match inspector’s report that will be discussed at the AFC meeting.”
The defeat means that Indonesia have failed to qualify for the finals of the Asian Cup for the first time since 1992.
Al-Habsi, 20, said: “I know what I did was wrong, but I was so disappointed with the team.
“I can’t stand it.
“Why is it so hard for them to win?
“It’s always either lose or draw.”
One of the criteria that the Indonesia Government had set for supporting the World Cup bid was that the national team would be capable of putting up a respectable performance in 2022.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734800472labto1734800472ofdlr1734800472owedi1734800472sni@y1734800472akcam1734800472.nacn1734800472ud1734800472
Related stories
January 2010: Indonesia World Cup bid still hopeful of Government backing
December 2009: Indonesia World Cup bid may be scrapped
November 2009: Southeast Asia could launch joint World Cup bid
July 2009: Indonesia admits that World Cup hopes hit by bomb blast
July 2009: Major setback for Indonesia World Cup bid after bomb