It is high time for the national U-23 team to conduct try-out matches with the better quality of foreign soccer teams after the former faced the local squads in its try-out games.
The U-23 had so far faced three senior local teams namely Persiba Bantul, Persikab Bandung and Semen Padang.
On September 9, the U-23 played 1-1 draw with Persiba in Bantul, Yogyakarta.
In the match, Persiba Bantul netted one goal in the first seven minute through Busari.
But, Egi Melgiansyah from the U-23 team evened the score 1-1 at the 67 minute from the penalty spot.
The game that took place at the Sultan Agung stadium was attended by thousands of spectators.
In addition, the U-23 national team beat Persikab Bandung district selection team 3-1 (2-0) at the Si Jalak Harupat Soreang, Bandung district, West Java province on Saturday (Oct 1/2011).
The U-23 striker Ferdinand Sinaga then netted two goals at the 2nd and 7th minutes at the first half. The third goal was made by Okto Maniani at 77th minute.
In the meantime, Persikab Selection made one goal at the second half after the U-23 goalkeeper Andritany tripped Persikab striker.
At the game, the U-23 national team coach Rahmad Darmawan made emphasis to the game scheme and tactic.
On the occasion, the coach fielded Titus Bonay and Lucas Mandowey from Persipura soccer club who were only joined the team on September 30.
On October 4, the U-23 without its four pillars namely Yongki Ariwibowo, Ferdinand Sinaga, Zulham Zamrun and Irfan Bahcdim played Semen Padang club in the H. Agus Salim stadium, Padang, West Sumatra.
In the friendly match, both teams shared 1-1 draw.
Semen Padang scored one goal at 30th minute through the U-23 team defender`s own goal (Hasyim Kipauw).
The U-23 then equalized the score with a goal by Titus Bonai, the Papua club striker.
After the match, the national coach Rahmad Darmawan said the elevens he led was still awkward to play in front of crowded audience and that should be improved before appearing in the upcoming SEA Games.
Rahmad believed that based on several friendly games in Hong Kong previously, Egi Melgiansyah and his friends played very relaxed and carefree due to lack of spectators.
The U-23 and Semen Padang teams game was attended by tens of thousands of spectators.
"In the next match I wish the audience atmosphere remained like this," the coach said.
Apart from that, the national U-23 team wished to play Singaporean and Thai senior soccer teams for the friendly matches.
According to the U-23 team manager, Roso Daras, the team had prepared letters which will be sent to the Singapore and Thailand teams management for further matches.
"We plan to undergo some friendly matches with foreign teams namely with the senior football squads of Thailand and Singapore," Roso said.
In addition, the national team management will also prepare an alternative friendly games with the local soccer clubs if the plan to play Thai and Singaporean teams fail.
"For sure, we need a few try-out games before taking part in the SEA Games," Roso said, disclosing that the U-23 management had scheduled four the try-out games.
Regarding the local would-be sparring partners, the U-23 squad managements said, the rival clubs minimal level should be similar to the Semen Padang, Roso noted.
"The teams which were offered to become the rival squads like Persija (Jakarta) and Pelita Jaya," he said, adding that the U-23 team continued their exercises at Jakarta`s Lebak Bulus stadium and the Kuningan stadium as an alternative.
Meanwhile, the PSSI secretary general Tri Goestoro said, the U-23 team needs to face the stronger rival team for the try-out match before participating in the SEA Games.
In the 26th SEA Games which will take place in Palembang (South Sumatra) and Jakarta from November 11 through 22, a total of 542 gold medals will be contested in 44 sports games.
In Palembang, the Sea Games will be held at the Jakabaring sports complex. Half of the 44 sports games will be held in the South Sumatra capital city of Palembang.
Indonesia has hosted the Sea Games several times, namely the 10th Sea Games in 1979, the 15th Sea Games in 1987 and the 19th Sea Games in 1997.
In addition, the 44 branches of sports which will be competed in Jakarta and Palembang on November 11-22, 2011 are 1.Aquatics, 2. Archery, 3. Athletics, 4. Badminton, 5. Baseball, 6. Basketball, 7. Billiards & Snooker, 8. Bowling, 9. Boxing, 10. Bridge, 11. Canoeing, 12. Chess, 13. Cycling, 14. Equestrian, 15. Fencing, 16. Fin Swimming, 17. Football, 18. Futsal, 19. Golf, 20. Gymnastics, 21. Judo, 22. Karate, 23. Paragliding, 24. Pencak Silat, 25. Petanque, 26. Roller Skating , 27. Rowing, 28. Sailing, 29. Sepaktakraw, 30. Shorinji Kempo, 31. Shooting, 32. Softball, 33. Soft Tennis, 34. Table Tennis, 35. Taekwondo, 36. Tennis, 37. Traditional Boat Race, 38. Volleyball, 39. Vovinam, 40. Wall Climbing ,41. Water Ski, 42. Weightlifting, 43. Wrestling, and 44. Wushu.
SEA Games will be participated in by hundreds of athletes from eleven countries including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Vietnam and host Indonesia.
Actually the Vietnamese national team had invited the Indonesian U-23 squad to join the international championship, but All-Indonesia Soccer Association (PSSI) chairman Djohar Arifin Husin cancelled it, Roso Daras added. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
