'SEAG soccer team needs improvement'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia
\n(PSSI) Agum Gumelar criticized on Thursday the Southeast Asian
\n(SEA) Games team after observing their performance in a friendly
\nmatch with Karnos club from the South Jakarta league main
\ndivision.<\/p>\n
\"I saw that the players had good fighting spirit. They also
\nhad good stamina, judging from their abilities to mark and
\npressure during the match.<\/p>\n
\"But they fell short of good teamwork and finishing touch.
\nThey have to polish these skills,\" he said, adding that the team
\nstarted late compared to other countries participating in the
\nGames.<\/p>\n
Agum was confident Indonesia could reach the final at the
\nSept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games. In the 1999 Games in Brunei
\nDarussalam, Indonesia only took the bronze.<\/p>\n
\"Southeast Asian countries have similar technical skills. Only
\nthe most prepared and highly motivated team will win. If our team
\nhas to fight top class teams like Brazil, it's impossible for
\nthem to make it.<\/p>\n
\"But in competing against SEA Games participants, stamina and
\nmotivation are the two most important factors to win,\" said Agum,
\nwho is also the coordinating minister for political, social and
\nsecurity affairs.<\/p>\n
On Thursday's second friendly, the national team overpowered
\nKarno's 6-0. But the team members' performances were far from
\nperfect. In the first friendly on Tuesday, the team defeated the
\nJakarta State University team 11-0.<\/p>\n
Elie Aiboi of Semen Padang netted two goals, Aliyudin of
\nfirst-division Indocement contributed three goals and substitute
\nIsmed Sofyan of Persijatim of East Jakarta scored one.<\/p>\n
During the whole match, only Irian Jaya-born Elie, who played
\nas striker, instead of his favorite position as midfielder,
\nshowed skillful crossing and passing, and a good instinct for
\nattack.<\/p>\n
Elie's tandem Aliyudin failed to match his senior. Despite the
\nthree goals he made, Aliyudin mostly missed the feed from Elie or
\nthe other players, who mostly seemed nervous during the friendly.<\/p>\n
Two wingers, Firman Usman of Barito Putra, South Kalimantan
\nand Supriyono of PSMS Medan, North Sumatra, had yet to integrate.
\nNone of them had acted as good playmakers.<\/p>\n
Coach Benny Dolo said he was dissatisfied with his players'
\nforms.<\/p>\n
\"They performed poorly in positions other than their regular
\nposts. For example, Elie played striker while he is usually a
\nmidfielder, and Warsidi, who is a stopper, was the libero.<\/p>\n
\"I rotated the players on purpose so that they become
\naccustomed to playing in every position,\" he said after the
\nmatch.<\/p>\n
Also present at the national team training field in Bung Karno
\nSports Complex were chairman of the National Sports Council
\n(KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar, SEA Games training director Kusnan
\nIsmukanto and other PSSI top officials. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/seag-soccer-team-needs-improvement-1447893297",
"image": ""
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