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)