ZIDANE IN JAKARTA FOR FESTIVITIES

With the Indonesian national team set to open their Group D campaign then against Bahrain at the Stadium Gelora Bung Karno, the presence of Zidane will likely inspire the home team to score their first win in the group.

The other teams in Group D are Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

Apart from taking part in a ‘street soccer’ event on Sunday, the former FIFA World Footballer of the Year will also be accompanying the Indonesian national Under-13 side for a visit to Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Istana Negara.

The Indonesian national Under-13 side recently did well at the AFC Festival of Football which was held in Sabah, Malaysia to emerge as the best team in their group.

It is believed that the Indonesian FA is also currently working hard for the senior national team to also be given the same reception at the Istana Negara so as to give the players further incentives for the Asian Cup.

INDONESIA UNDER-13 SQUAD

Eko Juliyanto, Muhammad Zulfikar Malabar, Zubair Maruapey, Irfandi Zein Al Zubeidi, Ricki Bardes Leurima, Fazhur Rahman Ohorella, Sahrul Umarella, Sahril Nahumarury, Fifian Hadi Putra Maruapey, Rival Lestaluhu, Ahmad Rizki Kurniawan, Rio Pambudi, Anya Beni Saputra, Antoni Putro Nugroho, Dimas Priambodo, Agus Nugroho.