WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 SPORTS Indonesian women in bid to revive soccer game

JAKARTA: With an Islamic headscarf mism in Indonesia, with officials saying ing the women’s game. Indonesia was supportive.” There is also evidence tradi- nightmare as the best players often tucked into her football top, 16-year-old that the women’s game is growing in hit with sanctions for ousting the tional attitudes are softening and rela- need to be flown thousands of miles Fatwa Nurjannah kicked the ball enthu- popularity, and there are hopes it could domestic football association, but tives growing more supportive. from around the country to Jakarta. siastically around the pitch at a training eventually return to its glory days when authorities argue the move clears the Nurjannah’s father cheered her on While the government has down- session in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. the country challenged Asia’s top teams. way for reform as the association was from the sidelines during the recent ses- played the FIFA ban, it does mean “People tell me since I’m a girl and I Since that era in the 1960s and ‘70s, responsible for many of the sport’s prob- sion in Jakarta and has been taking her Indonesia’s women are unlikely to get a wear the headscarf, I’m better off at a Indonesian football has repeatedly been lems. “The government is serious and to practise every week. chance to compete on the world stage religious school. No way,” she told AFP, as hit by corruption and mismanagement, this gives us good momentum,” said She is not currently playing in any for some time, even if they do improve. she took part in the all-female practice dragging down both the men’s and sports ministry official Djoko Pekik team but is taking part in the academy’s And their recent return to interna- at a football academy. women’s teams. Irianto, when asked about the ban. He female-only training sessions-still a rari- tional football was hardly triumphant. At Nurjannah is among a new genera- But Indonesia last year revived a top- added that authorities hoped to have a ty in a country where women often find the AFF tournament in Vietnam, tion of players hoping to revive the level tournament for women, which pro- women’s league, which currently does themselves having to join in with men’s Indonesia crashed out in the first round women’s game in Indonesia, a tough duced a national team that was sent to not exist, up and running once they had training. And there is no shortage of tal- after losing all three of its matches, challenge in a conservative, Muslim- the AFF Women’s Championship last completed a management reorganisa- ent in the world’s fourth most-populous including a 10-1 defeat inflicted by majority country where football is typi- month, the first Indonesian side to play tion in a year. country, which has a population of 250 Thailand. cally the preserve of men. To compound in the regional tournament since 2011. Supporters of reviving the female million people. While attitudes are changing as problems, the country has just been hit Some have voiced fears that FIFA’s game point to an increasing number of Some of the best female footballers Indonesians become wealthier and bet- with a FIFA ban, which means Indonesia weekend decision to suspend Indonesia confident, young women from the coun- come from remote and rugged Papua, ter educated, many in the conservative cannot compete in world football. over government meddling in the try’s rapidly emerging middle-class who the country’s easternmost region, where country are still against the idea of Top teams are gearing up for the domestic league could damage efforts. are ready to challenge traditional values. much of the population-who come from women’s football. Women’s World Cup which starts in Not only are all Indonesian teams “I cried when my older brother told a different ethnic group to those on the “There is potential and interest but this week, but it is a rather differ- banned from international competition, me not to play football. He said it’s not main island of Java-are naturally fit and the handicap for women’s football in ent picture in Indonesia, where the but authorities can no longer draw on proper and I should just stay in the athletically built. Indonesia is the culture and values,” said women’s team stood no hope of qualify- FIFA funds to develop women’s football. kitchen to cook,” national team player The challenges nevertheless remain Tommy Welly, a senior official from the ing as it did not even have a FIFA rank- However the government insisted that Tugiati Jawa, 29, told AFP. huge. Indonesia’s size has as many dis- Indonesian football association. “People ing due to be being inactive for so long. the ban presents an opportunity for a “But now that I am making a living advantages as advantages, with organis- think football is not a sport for Nevertheless there is renewed opti- “complete overhaul” of football, includ- out of something I love, he has been ing national tournaments a logistical women.”—AFP US eye German scalp

BERLIN: The USA are out to claim another stand we come to meet these opponents major European scalp in today’s friendly eye to eye. against world champions Germany when The USA team are missing forwards Clint the Stars and Stripes’ head coach Jurgen Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, plus midfielder Klinsmann faces his old team. Alejandro Bedoya and defenders Geoff An inexperienced USA side stunned the Cameron, Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler. Netherlands with a dramatic 4-3 victory in “Obviously it’s a bit tricky when we are Amsterdam last Friday with two goals in without some of our core players, but that the final minutes. creates a huge opportunity for the guys Next up are Germany in Cologne with here to benchmark themselves against Joachim Loew’s side resting many of his some of the best players in the world,” stars who won the World Cup in what is a added Klinsmann. warm-up for Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier Loew has included the likes of midfield against Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal. star and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, The USA begin their defence of the Gold plus Mario Goetze, who scored the winner Cup next month as they take on Honduras, in the Brazil 2014 final. Haiti and Panama in Group A, but beating Germany beat the USA 1-0 in their World Germany after downing the Dutch would Cup group stage match in Brazil last year as be a significant boost. Loew’s side avenged their shock 4-3 friend- Klinsmann described the Dutch win as a ly defeat to Klinsmann’s USA in Washington “huge learning curve” for his inexperienced in 2013. side to know they could “play at that tem- “Playing against Jurgen Klinsmann, is po” against high-profile opponents and always something special for us,” said they have nothing to lose against Germany. Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff. “We “I just expect it to be fun to play against the want to play attractive football against the world champions. Who else do you want?” Americans in a great atmosphere. said Klinsmann, who coached Germany to “I’m pleased to see Jurgen again, third place at the 2006 World Cup they because had a big influence on the current hosted with Loew as his assistant. team.” Loew will be without Borussia “Obviously it’s my home country too Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Bayern and my former assistant coach took them Munich’s Jerome Boateng against the USA to the World Cup title. So it’s going to be a as Hummels is injured, while Boateng will special day. only be available for the Gibraltar qualifier. “Playing against top teams like Germany Borussia Moenchengladbach winger and the Netherlands provides valuable Patrick Herrmann is set to make his debut experience, especially for the younger play- while Loew has included 13 of his squad VANCOUVER: Ecuador’s Nancy Aguilar (left) and ’s Gaelle Enganamouit collide during the first half of a FIFA Women’s World Cup soc- ers here. “More and more, they must under- which won the World Cup. —AFP cer match. —AP Juve snap up Khedira Americans light up MILAN: Real Madrid’s German international His arrival has also given Juve, who won midfielder Sami Khedira signed for defeat- their first league and Cup double in 20 ed Champions League finalists Juventus on years last season, cover in the event that Tuesday, the Italian club announced. Chilean international Arturo Vidal is lured Women’s World Cup The 28-year-old joins the Italian champi- away from the club. Vidal, who is currently ons for free on a four-year contract which on duty at the Copa America, has been expires on June 30, 2019. The Stuttgart- linked with a move to Real Madrid. WINNIPEG: Megan Rapinoe scored sion,” Rapinoe said. “A much slower ver- born Khedira had been at Real Madrid since The statement added: “Khedira, who is twice and the United States overcame sion.”But De Vanna equalized midway the summer of 2010, and has achieved suc- normally deployed in front of the defence early defensive shakiness to beat through the half when she slotted the cess in La Liga, the Copa del Rey (twice), as a ball-winning midfielder, is able to cov- Australia 3-1 on Monday in their open- ball inside the near post for her 36th the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super er a lot of ground while also possessing ing game at the Women’s World Cup. goal in 100th international appear- Cup, the Champions League and the Club excellent passing and shooting ability, and The result put the US on top of ances. Press scored off a cross from World Cup. great vision of the game. Group D, in which the other game Leroux in the 61st minute and A statement by Juventus said: “Juventus “Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri is between and ended 3- Rapinoe’s second goal in the 78th all Football Club has today completed the set to add a player of class, quality and 3. In Group C, defending champion but sealed the result. In the other signing of Sami Khedira. “The 28-year-old, international experience to his ranks, ready Japan opened its campaign with a 1-0 Group D game, Francisca Ordega who will officially join from Real Madrid on to enrich one of the strongest midfields in win against Switzerland while scored in the 87th minute to give a free transfer on 1 July 2015, has agreed world football.” Barcelona defeated Cameroon swept past Ecuador 6-0. Nigeria a point from a 3-3 draw with terms on a four-year contract which expires Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League final Christen Press also scored for the Sweden. on 30 June 2019.” last Saturday in Berlin. —AFP second-ranked U.S., which is seeking its put Sweden up 2-0 in third World Cup title and first since the first half with a goal in the 31st 1999. Lisa De Vanna had equalized minute after Nigeria conceded an own midway through the first half for goal. Nigeria evened it in the second Australia. “We were a bit nervous,” half when Ngozi Okobi and Asisat Rapinoe said. “Couldn’t play a lot worse Oshoala scored in a three-minute span. at times. “But we settled in a bit and we Linda Sembrant came off the bench to were able to get some goals. Three put Sweden up 3-2 before Ordega’s points, that’s most important, especial- drive sailed between goalkeeper ly in this group that’s shaping up a little ’s legs for the equalizer. weird.” Fifth-ranked Sweden, under former The US, which won the title in 1991 U.S. coach , faces her for- and ‘99, has five wins and two draws mer team on Friday in one of the most from its opening games at World Cups anticipated matches of the group and improved to a remarkable record stage. Japan began the defense of its of 23 wins, two draws and no losses title with victory over Switzerland against Australia. US star forward Alex thanks to Aya Miyama’s 29th minute Morgan, sidelined by a bone bruise in penalty. The spotkick was awarded and her left knee, entered in the 79th Swiss goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann was WINNIPEG: Australia’s Emily van Egmond (right) and United States’ minute in her first game action since shown a yellow card following a colli- Carli Lloyd go up for the ball during the first half of a FIFA Women’s April 11 with her club Portland. sion with Japan’s Kozue Ando inside World Cup soccer match. —AP In her absence, 35-year-old the box. Yuki Ogimi set up the run by Wambach and Canada-born Sydney Ando with a chip over the Switzerland Leroux started up top against the defense. Ramona Bachmann, who had Women’s World Cup tables Matildas, while Hope Solo was in goal a several quality runs on goal in the sec- VANCOUVER: Group tables following opening round matches at the FIFA Women’s day after an ESPN report revealed new ond half for Switzerland, had an open World Cup (played, won drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): details about her arrest a year ago on shot in final minute of stoppage time domestic violence charges. but put it over the bar. Cameroon Group A The charges were dismissed by a scored three goals in a nine-minute Canada 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 judge earlier this year, but prosecutors stretch late in the first half and routed Netherlands 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 told ESPN there is an appeal scheduled. Ecuador 6-0. Gaelle Enganamouit had a New Zealand 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 “That was a long time ago. We’ve hat trick for 53rd-ranked Cameroon, China 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 moved on,” coach Jill Ellis said. “She’s which converted three penalties. Group B been a fantastic player and teammate. Enganamouit scored in the 36th and Germany 1 10 01003 None of that has even resonated with 73rd minutes, and netted a penalty in Norway 1 1 0 0 4 0 3 us, and I’m sure many of the players the fourth minute of stoppage time to Thailand 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 aren’t aware of it.” Solo had work to do complete her hat trick. Ivory Coast 1 0 0 1 0 10 0 early. She was tested in the fifth Madeleine Ngono Mani put Les Group C minute, when she tipped Emily Van Lionnes ahead in the 34th minute, and Cameroon 1 1 0 0 6 0 3 Egmond’s shot off the crossbar and captain Christine Manie’s penalty made Japan 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 over. She made another save on it 3-0 in the 44th. Aboudi Onguene also Switzerland 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Michelle Heyman in the 13th. Rapinoe converted a penalty in the 79th, Ecuador 1 0 0 1 0 6 0 opened the scoring in the 12th minute Ecuador was a player down from Group D when her kick from the top of the the 66th minute after Ligia Moreira was United States 1 1 0 0 3 1 3 penalty area deflected off an Australia sent off. Cameroon plays Japan on Sweden 1 0 1 0 3 3 1 player past goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri. Friday, and Ecuador meets Switzerland Nigeria 1 0 1 0 3 3 1 Australia 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 Sami Khedira “I was doing my best Messi impres- next.—AP