Saturday, January 12, 2008
Exclusive - interview with Isman Jasulmei
Inspired by an all Indonesian strike force of Bambang Pamungkas and Aliyudin Persija’s brand of attacking football has seen them reach the Liga Play Offs as well as the Copa semi final.
Isman Jasulmei has spent the better part of 20 years in and around Persija. He started off as young player in the junior team, appearing one year in Singapore’s Lion City Cup. He graduated to the first team where he was a regular until marriage took him away from football and into banking. Football though is the Jakartan born Isman’s first love and he soon returned to his hometown club, this time coaching the juniors.
Now assistant to Sergei Dubrovin, the Moldovan head coach, Isman has played an important role in developing Persija’s attacking play. With the Copa semi final against Persipura just days away I sat down with Isman to discuss the season so far.
Persija’s season has shown a marked improvement over the second half of the season. Isman explained that in the first part of the season there was always a feeling that the midfield was too lightweight and the defence was always prone to conceding soft goals. Going into the Asian Cup break both he and head coach Dubrovin evaluated the team and decided they needed to shore up that midfield.
‘After attacking we have problems defending, we cannot get back in numbers, we lose our shape. It was very important we have (someone) strong in midfield. We talked to one agent who went to Argentina looking for players.’ This agent brought over Robertinho who initially trialled with Persib but the Bandung club decided against moving for the midfielder. ‘He played two friendlies for Persija and joined the training camp in Anyer.’ Isman and Dubovrin were impressed by his intelligence and his physical game, things lacking at that time.
Robertinho has blossomed in his short time with the club. So much so Isman describes him as ‘the best foreign midfield player in the country.’ He works tirelessly in the middle, tackles well and gets up to support Bambang and Aliyudin as well as contributing a few goals of his own.
Another player who has impressed in the second half of the season following his switch to central defence is Hamkah Hamza, coinciding with a tightening of Persija’s rearguard. Isman likes Hamzah. ‘I think Hamzah will be the best central defender in Indonesia. He has good ball control, good awareness, he’s an intelligent player.’
By shoring up the defence and tightening the midfield Persija have become a lot more consistent and much harder to break down. Isman, the perfectionist, still sees room for improvement. ‘We need a strong defensive midfield player.’ He’s not alone there, the workhorse Flamini type player, sleeves rolled up, gets stuck in type is short on the ground with perhaps Syamsul the finest exponent of the craft at PSM.
There have been occasions though when Persija have been unable to impose themselves away from home. ‘I don’t know,’ says the assistant coach, ‘maybe there is a mental problem with Indonesian players when playing away.’ He goes on to explain there have been numerous changes behind the scenes at critical moments which cost the club on the pitch. He describes one road trip where victory at Persela was followed by a poor showing at PSIS when Julio Lopez inspired the Semarang side to a 3-0 victory. In between the manager was sacked and maybe that affected morale within the club.
I wondered about Persija’s last four games, all at home. Against Deltras in the Copa there was nothing in the first half. Against Semen Padang in the last Liga game of the season it took 40 minutes for them to click into gear. Against Persikota they went in 2-0 at half time before they got going. Likewise Sriwijaya. The visiting side from Palembang and Liga leaders went 1-0 before Persija really got stuck in. Perhaps the players need a kick up the butt before they start playing?
‘Maybe before the game we should tell the players they are already losing 1-0.’ He’s not joking either. Often during our conversation Isman referred to the mind and psychology when dealing with players. ‘In the Copa we have a very good defensive record. In eight games only PSIS, Sidoarjo and PSM have scored against us. Maybe we should tell the players every game is a cup game!’ Despite these perceived mental shortcomings, he adds proudly, ‘in the Western Division only us and Sriwijaya are unbeaten at home.’
With that Isman set off to join Sergei Dubovrin and the rest of the squad knowing that the next three weeks will define their season. Will they triumph or will they, like back in 2005, fall at the final hurdle?
Isman Jasulmei has spent the better part of 20 years in and around Persija. He started off as young player in the junior team, appearing one year in Singapore’s Lion City Cup. He graduated to the first team where he was a regular until marriage took him away from football and into banking. Football though is the Jakartan born Isman’s first love and he soon returned to his hometown club, this time coaching the juniors.
Now assistant to Sergei Dubrovin, the Moldovan head coach, Isman has played an important role in developing Persija’s attacking play. With the Copa semi final against Persipura just days away I sat down with Isman to discuss the season so far.
Persija’s season has shown a marked improvement over the second half of the season. Isman explained that in the first part of the season there was always a feeling that the midfield was too lightweight and the defence was always prone to conceding soft goals. Going into the Asian Cup break both he and head coach Dubrovin evaluated the team and decided they needed to shore up that midfield.
‘After attacking we have problems defending, we cannot get back in numbers, we lose our shape. It was very important we have (someone) strong in midfield. We talked to one agent who went to Argentina looking for players.’ This agent brought over Robertinho who initially trialled with Persib but the Bandung club decided against moving for the midfielder. ‘He played two friendlies for Persija and joined the training camp in Anyer.’ Isman and Dubovrin were impressed by his intelligence and his physical game, things lacking at that time.
Robertinho has blossomed in his short time with the club. So much so Isman describes him as ‘the best foreign midfield player in the country.’ He works tirelessly in the middle, tackles well and gets up to support Bambang and Aliyudin as well as contributing a few goals of his own.
Another player who has impressed in the second half of the season following his switch to central defence is Hamkah Hamza, coinciding with a tightening of Persija’s rearguard. Isman likes Hamzah. ‘I think Hamzah will be the best central defender in Indonesia. He has good ball control, good awareness, he’s an intelligent player.’
By shoring up the defence and tightening the midfield Persija have become a lot more consistent and much harder to break down. Isman, the perfectionist, still sees room for improvement. ‘We need a strong defensive midfield player.’ He’s not alone there, the workhorse Flamini type player, sleeves rolled up, gets stuck in type is short on the ground with perhaps Syamsul the finest exponent of the craft at PSM.
There have been occasions though when Persija have been unable to impose themselves away from home. ‘I don’t know,’ says the assistant coach, ‘maybe there is a mental problem with Indonesian players when playing away.’ He goes on to explain there have been numerous changes behind the scenes at critical moments which cost the club on the pitch. He describes one road trip where victory at Persela was followed by a poor showing at PSIS when Julio Lopez inspired the Semarang side to a 3-0 victory. In between the manager was sacked and maybe that affected morale within the club.
I wondered about Persija’s last four games, all at home. Against Deltras in the Copa there was nothing in the first half. Against Semen Padang in the last Liga game of the season it took 40 minutes for them to click into gear. Against Persikota they went in 2-0 at half time before they got going. Likewise Sriwijaya. The visiting side from Palembang and Liga leaders went 1-0 before Persija really got stuck in. Perhaps the players need a kick up the butt before they start playing?
‘Maybe before the game we should tell the players they are already losing 1-0.’ He’s not joking either. Often during our conversation Isman referred to the mind and psychology when dealing with players. ‘In the Copa we have a very good defensive record. In eight games only PSIS, Sidoarjo and PSM have scored against us. Maybe we should tell the players every game is a cup game!’ Despite these perceived mental shortcomings, he adds proudly, ‘in the Western Division only us and Sriwijaya are unbeaten at home.’
With that Isman set off to join Sergei Dubovrin and the rest of the squad knowing that the next three weeks will define their season. Will they triumph or will they, like back in 2005, fall at the final hurdle?
Labels: Isman Jasulmei Persija Jakarta
# posted by Me @ 7:05 PM 
