Credit to Primavera

From Neraca

Everyone who witnessed the PSSI Primavera soccer team in action at the Senayan Main Stadium the other day must know that the boys gave all they had to upset Iraq and assure entry into the semi-finals of the tournament. And, to make it even better, PSSI Primavera displayed a technical control of the game that was at least on a par with that of the Iraqis. Or, to be totally honest, our players were at least half a class higher. Most of the goal opportunities, attacks and corner kicks were in PSSI Primavera's favor.

After watching the team, I see a glimmer of hope that our national soccer team may once again reach the levels of acclaim we enjoyed during the 1960s and early 1970s. PSSI Primavera has shown us its caliber as a team that cannot be dictated into accepting defeat by its adversaries.

We all know that in every international match our national team is forced to accept such defeats. It has been very seldom during these last 20 years that we have seen our national team playing with a control that puts it on a par with its opponent. Primavera, on the other hand, was able not only to equal them but to put pressure on them.

I hope the present PSSI Primavera players will be maintained and further trained so that they eventually become a strong national team. I suggest that PSSI abandon its habit of forever changing the lineup of teams which it considers to have failed.

DEDI HASAN WIJAYA

Kuningan, West Java