National team reshuffle still needed
National team reshuffle still needed
JAKARTA (JP): Following an evaluation of its recent tour to
Perth, experimentation with a player reshuffle is still
considered necessary for Indonesia's national soccer team prior
to the start of its campaign in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
in Kuala Lumpur starting on Sept. 2.
Team manager Irawadi D. Hanafi said on Thursday that he and
coach Benny Dolo had decided to drop four of the team's 24
players, replacing them with one goalkeeper and one defender.
The decision was made after contemplating the team's
performance in a series of friendly matches with the West
Australian team in Perth, held between July 18 and July 23.
"Based on the friendlies results, we decided the team still
needed improvement, particularly in the defensive zone. In all
three matches, our team was always down two or three goals in the
first half before managing to equalize or turn the tables on our
opponents," Irawadi said.
"I had earlier asked West Australian soccer officials to
schedule teams which are not so strong, because our team only
looked to equalize. We achieved this, although we were left
behind in the opening minutes."
Indonesia bowed out to the Australian state's Under-19 team at
Inglewood Kiev Sports Ground in its first friendly on July 18.
Purwanto saved Indonesia's dignity in the 75th minute when he
fired home a pass from Isnan Ali during a scrimmage. He headed
home again just one minute before the referee blew the final
whistle.
The national team managed to outclass the West Australian
amateur team 2-1 in the second friendly on July 21 at the
Ashfield Reserve stadium. Striker Bambang Pamungkas opened the
team's account in the 65th minute, with midfielder Edu Juanda
sealing victory in the 71st minute.
The third match saw Indonesia lose 2-3 to West Australia's U-
23 team at the Floreat Athena on July 23. Bambang contributed
both goals, one in the 47th minute and the last five minutes
before the match ended, Kompas daily reported.
"In general, I'm not satisfied with the players' form, but I'm
proud that they have a strong fighting spirit and have developed
good teamwork. It will be easier for the coach to nominate 15
players for the core team," Irawadi said.
He said the players had returned to their respective clubs to
compete in the Bank Mandiri league, which is scheduled to end on
Aug. 5.
"All players must return to the Games training camp on Aug. 6
and we'll train on Krakatau Steel club's field in Cilegon,
Banten. We selected the site because we want the players to have
complete concentration in a quiet place.
"Moreover, the club has a wonderful field and we're sure we
won't have any problems finding local clubs for friendlies,"
Irawadi said. (ivy)