Reshuffle in Indonesia's national soccer team 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)