'SEAG soccer team needs improvement'
'SEAG soccer team needs improvement'
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia
(PSSI) Agum Gumelar criticized on Thursday the Southeast Asian
(SEA) Games team after observing their performance in a friendly
match with Karnos club from the South Jakarta league main
division.
"I saw that the players had good fighting spirit. They also
had good stamina, judging from their abilities to mark and
pressure during the match.
"But they fell short of good teamwork and finishing touch.
They have to polish these skills," he said, adding that the team
started late compared to other countries participating in the
Games.
Agum was confident Indonesia could reach the final at the
Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games. In the 1999 Games in Brunei
Darussalam, Indonesia only took the bronze.
"Southeast Asian countries have similar technical skills. Only
the most prepared and highly motivated team will win. If our team
has to fight top class teams like Brazil, it's impossible for
them to make it.
"But in competing against SEA Games participants, stamina and
motivation are the two most important factors to win," said Agum,
who is also the coordinating minister for political, social and
security affairs.
On Thursday's second friendly, the national team overpowered
Karno's 6-0. But the team members' performances were far from
perfect. In the first friendly on Tuesday, the team defeated the
Jakarta State University team 11-0.
Elie Aiboi of Semen Padang netted two goals, Aliyudin of
first-division Indocement contributed three goals and substitute
Ismed Sofyan of Persijatim of East Jakarta scored one.
During the whole match, only Irian Jaya-born Elie, who played
as striker, instead of his favorite position as midfielder,
showed skillful crossing and passing, and a good instinct for
attack.
Elie's tandem Aliyudin failed to match his senior. Despite the
three goals he made, Aliyudin mostly missed the feed from Elie or
the other players, who mostly seemed nervous during the friendly.
Two wingers, Firman Usman of Barito Putra, South Kalimantan
and Supriyono of PSMS Medan, North Sumatra, had yet to integrate.
None of them had acted as good playmakers.
Coach Benny Dolo said he was dissatisfied with his players'
forms.
"They performed poorly in positions other than their regular
posts. For example, Elie played striker while he is usually a
midfielder, and Warsidi, who is a stopper, was the libero.
"I rotated the players on purpose so that they become
accustomed to playing in every position," he said after the
match.
Also present at the national team training field in Bung Karno
Sports Complex were chairman of the National Sports Council
(KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar, SEA Games training director Kusnan
Ismukanto and other PSSI top officials. (ivy)