'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)