Indonesian Soccer Clubs Fail To Achieve Targets In 2014

INDONESIAN SOCCER CLUBS FAIL TO ACHIEVE TARGETS IN 2014 By Bustanuddin Jakarta, Dec 31 (Antara) -- Although coaches Indra Sjafri and Alfred Riedl of the under-19 Indonesian soccer team and the senior team, respectively, trained their squads diligently, both teams failed to reach their targets in 2014. Sjafri`s hard work is reflected in the improvements seen in the under-19 squad (Timnas U-19). Carrying out tryout matches against senior teams in several regions of the country, including Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan, also reflects the same. Sjafri stated that his squad had competed in four tryout matches---a domestic one (Tour Nusantara), a Middle Eastern one, a European one, and a Mini Tournament in Jakarta. The national young soccer team also took part in an international championship, the AFC U-19, in Myanmar in October. As a requirement, the young squad had to take part in four tryout matches, the first of which was the Nusantara Tour (archipelagic tour). In this tournament, it faced several clubs, including the PSS Sleman and Persiba Bantul football teams of Yogyakarta province, among others. In the tryout matches, Timnas U-19 performed relatively well and won most of the games. Before leaving for Myanmar, Timnas U-19 had, in fact, been given the opportunity to enjoy overseas tryout matches in Spain in September. The National Team Agency (BTN) had sent Timnas U-19 captain Evan Dimas and his squad to Spain to undergo training in a camp, Sjafri said. "We need to face taller players in the next tryout match. It will be good practice for the squad," he added. The coach further noted that during the squad`s participation in the training camp, they had to participate in two to three tryout matches. During their stay in Spain, Timnas U-19 was defeated by Barcelona B 0-6 in a friendly match held at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper Stadium on September 24. The goals were scored by Thomas Vermaelen in the 3rd minute, Suarez in the 11th and 67th minutes, Babunski in the 27th minute, Bicho in the 65th minute, and Maxi Rolon in the 78th minute. On September 25, Timnas U-19 lost 0-5 against Real Madrid C at Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. The goals were scored by Juanjo Narvaes in the 41st minute, J. Munoz in the 44th minute, Alfaro in the 54th and 83rd minutes, and Diego in the 90th minute. Earlier, the U-19 team had also played in friendly matches in Middle Eastern countries. In the third match during its Middle Eastern tour, the young squad was defeated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team 1-4 in Group B of the AFC 2014 in the Wunna Theikdi Stadium, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Such failures in noteworthy matches in Asia plagued Timnas U-19, with the team losing 1-3 against Uzbekistan, in the first qualifying match on October 10, and 0-1 against Australia, in Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on October 12. As a result of these losses, the under-19 squad retained its position at the bottom of the standings. Furthermore, the young squad (Garuda Jaya) defeating the South Korean club in the qualifying final group G match of AFC 2013 led soccer lovers in the country to dream of great success for their team. Timnas U-19 defeated the "powerful" South Korean club in the qualifying final group G match of the AFC in Jakarta`s Bung Karno Main Stadium last year with a score of 3-2 (1-1). These qualifiers were participated in by the young Indonesian soccer team along with those of South Korea, Laos, and the Philippines. Moreover, the 29 football players who underwent domestic training are as follows: Goalkeepers: Ravi Murdianto, Awan Setho Raharjo, and M. Diky Indrayana Backs: M. Sahrul Kurniawan, Hansamu Yama Pranata, Febly Gushendra, Ryuji Utomo Wibowo, S. Putu Gede Juni Antara, M. Fatchu Rochman, Mahdi Fahri Albaar, Eriyanto, and Bagas Adi Nugroho Midfielders: Hargianto, Evan Dimas Darmono, Zulfiandi, Iksan Kurniawan, Hendra Sandi Gunawan, Alqomar Tehupelasury, Irfandy Zein Alzubeidy, and Paulo Okyavianus Sitanggang Frontliners: Ilham Udin Armaiyn, Maldini Pali, Yabes Roni Malaifani, Miftahul Hamdi, M. Dimas Drajad, M. Reza Fahlevi Sitorus, Muchlis Hadi Ning Syaifulloh, Dinan Yahdian Javier, and Septian David Maulana In the AFC U-19 in Myanmar, Timnas U-19 was expected to, at least, reach the top four rankings. In AFC 2014, the under-19 team, or the Garuda Jaya as it is known, was in Group B along with Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan, all of which had higher rankings. Had the team met the target, captain Evan Dimas Darmono and his squad would have qualified for the U-20 World Cup in Australia next year. In addition, the senior soccer team, which was expected perform its best in the AFF 2014 Cup this year, proved to be a complete failure despite being coached by Austrian-born Alfred Riedl again. Their failure reflected poorly on Riedl`s reputation as a coach, as well. The former coach of the Vietnamese squad signed a contract to train the Indonesian team for one year. As per the contract, it would have been automatically extended for two more years had Riedl been able to lead the team to victory. Moreover, Secretary General of the All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Joko Driyono affirmed that his office would soon appoint another senior coach after Riedl`s working contract ended. This was because he failed to lead the senior national team to the highest position in the AFF Cup 2014. Also, the Youth and Sports Ministry is planning to form a special team, or "Team Nine." One of the tasks of this body will be to monitor and supervise the performance of the PSSI. According to Gatot S. Dewa Broto, a deputy at the Youth and Sports Ministry, deliberating on the formation of Team Nine is a result of public pressure. Complaints were received following the poor performance of the PSSI in multiple championships. "This is not a form of intervention. We only want to give inputs to the PSSI so that it can create a reliable national team," Broto pointed out, adding that the Youth and Sport Minister had approved the formation of Team Nine.