Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Some thoughts about Indonesia Under 19s v Singapore
Everyone I have spoken to or who has texted me says the same thing. That Indonesia were crap and that the Uruguay adventure has been a waste of time and money. So there you have it. Everyone says it so it must be true.
But before I jump on that particular bandwagon…
The opening 15 or 20 minutes were as good as anything I’ve seen from any Indonesian football team since I took up my computer to begin these rambles. The passing and movement, especially the movement, was top drawer.
Indonesia were using the flanks, especially the left, to great effect and had Singapore been two or three goals down they would not have complained.
The home side were pressing whenever Singapore had the ball around the half line then winning possession sweep the ball wide, looking for the dangerous looking Syamsir Alam to attack.
It was great to watch but as ever when possession doesn’t turn into goals you start to wonder. Especially when Alam blazed over after having done the hard work.
When you play like that all is not doom and gloom. A bit of composure in front of goal is what’s required, not just blasting in the faint hope you might burst the net.
Andi Odang did this just the other week for Persebaya against Persisam. The ball sat up perfectly for him to go for power. Instead he just calmly sidefooted home past the keeper and went on to score a hat trick. That goal should be required viewing for all Indonesian players.
As for Singapore. It was old school Liverpool playing in Europe late 70s, early 80s in front of a hostile crowd. They just sat back, let the Indonesians force the pace early on. One they tightened up the midfield the home side were reduced to long balls and Singapore were on the right track.
They knew chances would be at a premium, they had to take theirs and they would be on their way. It was appropriate that it was Mahdu, with a simple tap in, who got the winner. Possibly the best player on the pitch, Madhu was an immense presence throughout for the visitors and it’s so ironic that with Indonesia peppering Nazeem’s goal from long range it took a defender to break the deadlock from three yards out.
But before I jump on that particular bandwagon…
The opening 15 or 20 minutes were as good as anything I’ve seen from any Indonesian football team since I took up my computer to begin these rambles. The passing and movement, especially the movement, was top drawer.
Indonesia were using the flanks, especially the left, to great effect and had Singapore been two or three goals down they would not have complained.
The home side were pressing whenever Singapore had the ball around the half line then winning possession sweep the ball wide, looking for the dangerous looking Syamsir Alam to attack.
It was great to watch but as ever when possession doesn’t turn into goals you start to wonder. Especially when Alam blazed over after having done the hard work.
When you play like that all is not doom and gloom. A bit of composure in front of goal is what’s required, not just blasting in the faint hope you might burst the net.
Andi Odang did this just the other week for Persebaya against Persisam. The ball sat up perfectly for him to go for power. Instead he just calmly sidefooted home past the keeper and went on to score a hat trick. That goal should be required viewing for all Indonesian players.
As for Singapore. It was old school Liverpool playing in Europe late 70s, early 80s in front of a hostile crowd. They just sat back, let the Indonesians force the pace early on. One they tightened up the midfield the home side were reduced to long balls and Singapore were on the right track.
They knew chances would be at a premium, they had to take theirs and they would be on their way. It was appropriate that it was Mahdu, with a simple tap in, who got the winner. Possibly the best player on the pitch, Madhu was an immense presence throughout for the visitors and it’s so ironic that with Indonesia peppering Nazeem’s goal from long range it took a defender to break the deadlock from three yards out.
# posted by Me @ 7:19 PM 
