Asia-Pacific

Indonesian Vice President watches closely on Brazil's true colors

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-10 17:14

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla is not immune to the mania whipped up by the World Cup.

The vice president, along with a host of important figures who will be watching the action broadcast from Germany, has set his sights on the defending champion to lift the trophy once again.

Besides the enviable talent of the Brazilian players, the vice president also has determined his own "color scheme" to decide on his favorites.

"I support Brazil. Besides being a good team and having top players, the Brazilian team wears the yellow jersey. I like it," said Kalla, chairman of the powerful Golkar Party whose color is, not coincidentally, yellow.

"What makes it better is that the team players wear blue shorts," the vice president who was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying Saturday.

The vice president plans to watch the games with his family at home, in contrast to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who said Thursday he would invite national athletes to watch the action with him at the State Palace.

Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi also named Brazil and host Germany as the strongest contenders.

"The two squads have 'soccer gods'. There is Ronaldo in Brazil and (Michael) Ballack in Germany. I will have to stay up late to watch the matches. I hope I don't get sleepy during a meeting with the President," he said, laughing.

Chief Justice Bagir Manan deferred on passing judgment on a possible winner.

"I am a big fan of soccer. I love this sport very much and I'm definitely going to watch the World Cup ... But I don't know which countries are playing. Can you name some?" he asked reporters