PSSI cruises to Asian finals in Dubai
PSSI cruises to Asian finals in Dubai
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's football team (PSSI) remained in a
down-to-earth mood amid the celebrations which followed
Wednesday's success in securing a place in the Asian Championship
Finals in Dubai next December.
Head coach Danurwindo, who watched as Malaysia only managed to
beat helpless India 5-2 in the last group qualifying match in
Selangor, said that he planned a total overhaul of his squad
before the finals, scheduled from Dec. 3 to Dec. 30.
"There are many mistakes that will need correction before
entering the finals. We are playing Asia's best teams,"
Danurwindo said.
Indonesia, who routed India 7-1 on Monday, won the Group 4
qualifying matches on goal difference over Malaysia. Both teams
scored four points after securing one win and one draw from their
two matches.
Only the group winner qualifies for the finals, with Indonesia
becoming the third to go to Dubai after China and Saudi Arabia.
Defending champions Japan and hosts United Arab Emirates have
automatic entry.
National team director Nirwan Bakrie said that he would ask
the coaching duo of Danurwindo and Andi Teguh to draw up a
detailed training program in the coming eight months.
"We are also considering hiring a special coach to improve our
players' physical fitness and another coach to train our
goalkeepers," Nirwan said.
Indonesia assured itself of its first appearance in the
championships after 40 years of trying, after India's striker
Baichung Buthia struck his second goal in the 79th minute.
Buthia, a stand-in goalkeeper in India's drubbing by Indonesia,
made it 1-2 early in the second half.
Malaysia, who needed to win by a seven-goal margin to deny
Indonesia the finals berth, kept up the pace after its 2-0 first-
half lead. Veterans Dollah Saleh and Zainal Arifin led the
Malaysians assaults, but India showed some of its superb defense
in the final 20 minutes to avoid another goal spree.
Final Group 4 standings:
Indonesia 2 1 1 0 7-1 4
Malaysia 2 1 1 0 5-2 4
India 2 0 0 2 3-12 0