In its first try-out match against a junior team of under 23 years of age (U-23) at the Manahan sports stadium in Solo, Central Java, on Thursday (Aug 18) night, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the friendly match, the U-23 national team scored first by Septia Hadi in the 25th minute, then the goal for the senior national team created by Bambang Pamungkas through penalty kick in the 59th minute.
In the first leg of the next Pre-World Cup 2014 round Group E, the national team would face Iran which is believed to be the strongest opponent in the group.
In a tossup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil recently, the Indonesian soccer team was put in Group E along with Iran, Qatar and Bahrain.
Prior to its match against Jordanian national team on August 27, the Indonesian team beat the Palestinian team 4-1 (0-0 draw in the first round) on August 22 in a try-out match also in Solo Manahan stadium before around 24,000 spectators.
As many as 23 out of 28 players of the country`s team, went to Jordan before facing Iran in the Asian zone qualifying Group E of the Pre-World Cup 2014, the senior team coach assistant Liestiadi said here on Tuesday (Aug 23).
Five players failed to join the team to Jordan and Iran namely Ricardo Salampessy, Ahmad Bustomi, Kurnia Meiga, Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, and Egi Melgiansyah.
Ricardo Salampessy and Ahmad Bustomi, according to Liestiadi, was still recovering from injuries and illness, while Kurnia Meiga (goalkeeper) injured his ankle in the training camp in Solo.
After playing against the Jordanian team in Amman on August 27, the Indonesian senior soccer team should take lesson from the last try-out match where the Indonesian team suffered loss 0-1 (0-0).
The national team conducted the try-out matches as a preparation before playing against Iran. The Ramadhan fasting month lasted from August 1 through 30, 2011.
When playing against the Jordanian team, the Indonesian soccer players were trying to apply the quick foot-to-foot game, but the Jordanian team player of Abdullah Deeb successfully scored a goal at 49th minute through a corner kick that went straight to Markus Haris Maulana`s wicket.
The national team players on the occasion also tried to penetrate into the host`s defense team.
The Indonesian senior team players with smaller postures compared to the Jordanians, actually had demonstrated the foot-to-foot bait and followed with kicks, one of them was conducted by Christian Gonzalez, and caused enough troublesome to the Jordanian defense.
At the 17th minute, the golden opportunity occurred when a direct feedback from Christian Gonzalez was received by M Ridwan and he made solo run straight into the opponent`s goalkeeper. Unfortunately Ridwan`s shot deviated slightly from the Jordanian goal.
The Jordanian players with bigger postures then continued using long passes. Thanks to solid defense and the brilliant goalkeeper of Ferry Rotinsulu, Indonesian wicket remains safe.
Unfortunately, Rotinsulu (the Sriwijaya FC goalkeeper) was then forced to be replaced by Markus Harris Maulana at the 30th minute after Rotinsulu injured his knee.
In addition, M. Ilham at the 40th minute gave a cross bait to M. Ridwan, but his shot was blocked by the opponent`s goalkeeper, and the score remained 0-0 until halftime.
At the second half both teams alternated pressures. However, the host team made pressures, so they often made the Indonesian team`s defense led by Hamka Hamzah hassles.
At the 49th minute, the Jordanian Abdullah Deeb took a corner kick straight into Markus Haris Maulana`s goalkeeper, making the score 0-1 for the Jordanian team.
The Indonesian coach Wim Rijsbergen then made players substitutions by pulling out M Ilham and M Ridwan. Both players were replaced by Oktovianus Maniani and Irfan Bachdim.
On the other hand, the Jordanian team also made players substitution for the team.
The substitutions caused the Indonesian team`s attack patterns slightly improved. Previously, the attacks originating from the side, later it was combined with an attack from the middle.
At 85th minutes, Indonesia`s Bambang Pamungkas was also pulled out and replaced by Supardi, a defender.
The Indonesian team defense became stronger following the players replacement, as proven that the score ended 0-1.
The national team players composed of Ferry Rotinsulu/Markus Haris Maulana (goal keepers), Zukifly Syukur, M Roby, Hamka Hamzah, Beny Wahyudi, Firman Utina, Tony Sucipto/Eka Ramdani, M Ilham/Irfan Bachdim, M Ridwan/Oktovianus Maniani, Bambang Pamungkas/Supardi and Christian Gonzalez/Ferdinand Sinaga.
Previously, Anjas Asmara, one of the former national soccer team members, suggested that the Indonesian team in the next matches should apply the quick pattern game.
Anjas said the character of the Middle Eastern teams such as Iran, Qatar and Bahrain which will become the Indonesian team`s opponents in the third round of the pre-World Cup even frequently apply the fast from foot-to-foot game.
The former player of the Jakarta`s Persija eleven also said that the national team should play cheerfully especially in facing the official international matches like the Pre-World Cup Championship.
"They should play with the relaxed and happy manner, without tension. Playing in excitement is the characteristic of a team that really enjoys the game to pursuit of victory," Anjas said here on Wednesday.
The defeat 0-1 when facing the Jordanian team should trigger the Indonesian senior team`s spirit to improve its quality prior to playing against Iran on September 2, 2011.
(B003)
Reporter: Bustanuddin
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
