Soccer's problems team

Soccer's problems team

The national soccer team's failure to reach the second round of
the ongoing Asian Cup in China, as promised earlier by team
manager Andi Darussalam Tabusala, has disappointed soccer fans
across the country.

The hope that our players "might be inspired by the success of
Greece in the Euro 2004, in terms of fighting spirit and
discipline", was not realized.

Indonesia's only win was 2-1 against Qatar in its opening
match, after which it bowed out 5-0 to host country China and
lost to Bahrain 3-1 in the decisive match.

Even before the championship, the national squad, under
Bulgarian coach Ivan Kolev, performed poorly by losing all three
friendly games in the past two months.

Their sole victory against Qatar was a slight improvement, as
Indonesia has consistently lost all matches in the Asian Cup of
1996 and 2000.

Of course, it is unfair to compare Indonesia and Brazil, the
Copa America champ.

However, Brazil, known worldwide as a soccer powerhouse, did
not even need to deploy its top stars. Big names such as Ronaldo,
Ronaldinho, Kaka and Roberto Carlos were absent. Even so, with
only second-stringers, Brazil was able to defeat favorite
Argentina in a penalty shoot-out.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said the result was what
really mattered, never mind who the players were.

In fact, the second-lineup team was actually being prepared
for the 2010 World Cup.

So, what about Indonesia?

Even before the Asian Cup, Kolev had already complained about
the players' inferiority complex in the face of strong
international teams. The coach was puzzled at several
international matches by the players' tendency to give up easily.

Discipline, teamwork and a fighting spirit are the three
crucial elements missing from our players, although they possess
adequate individual skills.

Match schedules are another problem. Political events --
particularly this year's general elections on Apr. 5, July 5 and
Sept. 20 -- have forced the Soccer Association of Indonesia
(PSSI) to reschedule national league matches and the planned
Indonesia Cup, cautioned by the National Police not to stage
matches during election campaigns.

The PSSI must also pay greater attention in scouting new
talent, cultivating junior players and developing the coaches'
skills and knowledge to improve training programs.

Following the Asian Cup failure, the PSSI has yet to decide
whether it will extend Kolev's contract, which will end in
August. Kolev himself has hinted that he wants to stay with the
team to face the Tiger Cup in December.

The presence of Peter Withe of Britain, who previously coached
Thailand, to "supervise almost all national teams of different
age groups but the league team" only complicates the issue.

No official statement has been released by the PSSI, pending a
decision from its chief Nurdin Halid, currently hospitalized amid
his being named a suspect in the illegally imported sugar case.

His status as a suspect in the case has boosted demands from
provincial chapters of the PSSI for an extraordinary national
meeting to dismiss Nurdin.

The legal problem indirectly affects PSSI programs, especially
national and international competitions. There is also a
possibility that sponsors may cut their support if the case
impinges upon their corporate image.

Until these problems are addressed properly, soccer fans' hope
to see the national squad achieve success will remain just that
-- a hope.