Indonesia full of confidence Hosts send warning to Hariss and company; Singapore skipper urges his men to play for their lives

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JAKARTA - A playful yodel-like yelp escaped from the changing room at the training field a stone's throw away from the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, where hosts Indonesia were in their final training session ahead of the Group A SEA Games football encounter against Singapore today.

Shoulders loose, Indonesia's players were all smiles as they emerged to face the waiting media horde.

It was not hard to spot the confidence in a side singled out as the best team in the competition by Singapore, their opponents this afternoon.

Octovianus Maniani was one of the stars when Indonesia thumped Cambodia 6-0 in their opening fixture on Monday.

The midfield schemer said: "I don't think that Singapore are the underdogs in the group, every team that is here is good, and well-prepared.

"But I'm not worried about the Singapore defence, I'm not scared that we can't beat them."

His coach, Rahmad Darmawan, was equally confident, suggesting a torrid time for Singapore today.

"Our forwards are fit and very confident because there is balance in our attack. There is pace, penetration and we can score," he said. "Singapore's strength is in its defence, but we will use a different strategy than we did against Cambodia.

"Even though we won big (against Cambodia) we cannot be over confident, we will take Singapore seriously."

Indonesia's show of pace, power and panache in their demolition of Cambodia made their opponents sit up and take notice.

Facing a pumped up team backed by their own fans in the 88,000-capacity stadium, Singapore's fans will fear the worst today.

Captain Hariss Harun noticed fear in his men during the Cambodia game.

Singapore were 1-0 down and staring at the prospect of missing out on the semi-finals, but a second-half comeback saw them finish 2-1 winners.

"When I looked around the field (against Cambodia) there was fear in all our eyes, a fear of losing," Hariss revealed.

"But I'm glad that there is that side to this team, we clearly didn't want to be beaten ... and if we can (that show strong character) once, why can't we do it again!"

Against Cambodia, Singapore emerged after half-time with fire in their bellies and smoke coming out their ears, playing with a desire and urgency never seen before to secure victory.

"Maybe Indonesia is not scared of us, but what's important is what happens out on the pitch," added Hariss.

Indonesia's Maniani spoke cryptically of a special plan his team have for Singapore - "something different that will be able to penetrate the Singapore defence".

But Singapore coach Slobodan Pavkovic was neither impressed, nor perturbed. "We are confident that the players can give their best, we believe," he said.

"And of course, we are not afraid."