Sports leader criticizes SEA Games soccer team
Sports leader criticizes SEA Games soccer team
JAKARTA (JP): The national soccer team received a rap on the
knuckles on Wednesday as it geared up for the 18th Southeast
Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Disappointed chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo
Arismunandar saw Romano Matte's men scrambling to accommodate one
another in their hard-earned 4-3 win over professional team Mitra
Surabaya at the Gelora 10 November Stadium, Surabaya, East Java.
"I did not see good team work at all. Everybody wanted to
posses the ball for themselves," Wismoyo said of the national
squad's error ridden play.
It was the first of 13 scheduled try-out matches of the SEA
Games team since it grouped for a centralized training stint in
Gresik, East Java in August under the tutelage of Italian coach
Matte and his Indonesian assistant Andi Teguh.
The team, combining league players, got off to a sloppy start.
Mitra took an early lead after 14 minutes when an unmarked
Marzuki Badriawan gently drove home a curled cross from Semmy
Pieters.
Fast running striker Widodo C. Putra scored an equalizer for
the national team in the 31st minute. Petrokimia's striker Widodo
proved he deserves to be Matte's first choice in Chiang Mai when
he inspired Ansyari Lubis' goal in the 40th minute, before
striking his second one a minute later.
Matte overhauled half of his squad by withdrawing six of the
starters in the second half. The new combination, despite
relentless charges, overlooked Mitra's new signing Hadi Surento
who scored from a close range.
Substitute Fachry Husaini helped the national team get ahead
in the 68th minute with 4-2. Mitra dealt Matte another blow when
Mulyono found the net which followed a fast break five minutes
before time.
"It's true that we fell short of handling our defensive and
midfield zones. We are still looking for the best format to fit
our zonal marking game," Andi said.
Wismoyo suggested Matte work out his team's defense by picking
tougher sparring partners in the following try-outs.
"Don't ever feel satisfied with your achievement. We are
facing a much more daunting challenge in the Games," Wismoyo
warned.
The All-Indonesia Football Association has set a brave target
of winning the gold in December's Games. (amd)