National team loses to Vitesse in friendly<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The national soccer team was given a valuable
\nlesson prior to its Asian Cup finals' campaign by Dutch first
\ndivision side Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Fielding its second stringers, the Dutch league leader showed
\nup the weak defense of Nandar Iskandar's squad with a three-goal
\nspree in 13 minutes in the middle of the second half to win the
\nfriendly 4-2.<\/p>\n
Vitesse opened the scoring just three minutes after the kick-
\noff, but Gendut Doni struck back with an equalizer 13 minutes
\nlater. The score remained 1-1 until the break.<\/p>\n
Striker Bambang Pamungkas, who was released by his club, the
\nNetherlands-based EHC Norad, wasted many scoring opportunities
\nduring the second half.<\/p>\n
The home side extended the margin to 4-1 after goals in the
\n59th, 61st and 72nd minutes, which were mostly attributable to
\nIndonesia's shaky defense. An own goal by a Vitesse defender 10
\nminutes from time saved further Indonesian blushes.<\/p>\n
In his report, a copy of which was made available to The
\nJakarta Post, Nandar failed to identify the Vitesse scorers.<\/p>\n
Nandar blamed the loss not only on the fact that his team was
\na notch below the Dutch in terms of technical skills, but the
\nabsence of several key defenders, particularly Aji Santoso, who
\nwill only join the squad after his Asian club championship duties
\nhave been completed.<\/p>\n
\"We at least made good openings during the first test. The
\ndefense system which I would like to apply was fully understood,
\nalthough the absence of some players has adversely affected the
\nteam,\" Nandar said.<\/p>\n
He expected the team would fare better when it plays Dordricht
\non Oct. 4.<\/p>\n
The team is scheduled to meet NAC Breda, currently the runner-
\nup in the first division, on Oct. 6 in its third match and one
\nmore club before leaving for Lebanon for the Asian Cup.<\/p>\n
Other players yet to come include PSM Makassar's Kurniawan Dwi
\nYulianto, Bima Sakti and Hendro Kartiko and from Pupuk Kaltim
\n(PKT) Bontang's Jet Donald Laala.<\/p>\n
Nandar said striker Rocky Puttiray, who is renowned for his
\npenchant of dying his hair, will also join the team from Hong
\nKong, where he plays with local team Instant Dict. (ivy)<\/p>",
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