Jakarta Casual
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Persib Fans Unhappy With Belencoso's Form
When Persib fans love a player they love him forever. They have long memories in Tanah Bobotoh and players like Miljan Radovic, Lorenzo Cabanas, Makan Konate, Sinthaweechai Hathhairattnakul and Sergio van Dijk hold a special place in the hears of Persib's massed ranks.
There is an unwritten contract between foreign players and supporters. Do the business on the field, show respect to the badge, give 100% for the cause and the players have thousands of admirers for life even after they move. But if the fans feel not enough blood, sweat and tears is being spilled by a player they will be on his case immediately.
None of this pussyfooting around like Arsene Wenger does, hoping for an improvement in a bang average player. Persib fans expect to see players hit the ground running and when it doesn't happen they wanna know why.
Juan Belencoso came to Persib with a big reputation. The 35 year old Spanish striker came to Bandung from Kitchee with an impression 63 goals in 79 games, enough to turn a journeyman striker who had earned his crust playing in Spain's second tier, a status he could never dreamed of at home. But he gave up the security and common sense of life in Honk Kong for the uncertainty and passion of Indonesia.
He has taken time to settle and in the pre season Bhayangkara Cup he only managed one goal, a poor return for one so vaunted.
An official from a Persib supporters club says 'A foreign striker must be better than a local one. We have not yet seen Belencoso as a striker who frightens opponents and his quality is less than a local player like Samsul Arif.'
He then went on to campare Belencoso with Sergio van Dijk. 'He is very different if compared to (SVD). He could worry opponents but defenders find it easy to play against Belencoso and aren't worried by him.'
Persib host Bali United this weekend and fans have been out in force buying tickets. As ever they will be behind their team all the way through the 90 minutes but if they sense Belencoso hasn't imporved they said they will be complaining loud and clear.
Persib may lack Barcelona's presence on the world stage but their fans have the same sense of urgency. Then again, if Belencoso hits a hat trick against Bali United he would soon become a hero!
UPDATE - Persib manager Umuh says Persib are planning to sign two new strikers, both naturalised Indonesians. No names of course but they better move quickly with the transfer window closing 15 May. Sergio van Dijk anyone? Greg Nwokolo?
There is an unwritten contract between foreign players and supporters. Do the business on the field, show respect to the badge, give 100% for the cause and the players have thousands of admirers for life even after they move. But if the fans feel not enough blood, sweat and tears is being spilled by a player they will be on his case immediately.
None of this pussyfooting around like Arsene Wenger does, hoping for an improvement in a bang average player. Persib fans expect to see players hit the ground running and when it doesn't happen they wanna know why.
Juan Belencoso came to Persib with a big reputation. The 35 year old Spanish striker came to Bandung from Kitchee with an impression 63 goals in 79 games, enough to turn a journeyman striker who had earned his crust playing in Spain's second tier, a status he could never dreamed of at home. But he gave up the security and common sense of life in Honk Kong for the uncertainty and passion of Indonesia.
He has taken time to settle and in the pre season Bhayangkara Cup he only managed one goal, a poor return for one so vaunted.
An official from a Persib supporters club says 'A foreign striker must be better than a local one. We have not yet seen Belencoso as a striker who frightens opponents and his quality is less than a local player like Samsul Arif.'
He then went on to campare Belencoso with Sergio van Dijk. 'He is very different if compared to (SVD). He could worry opponents but defenders find it easy to play against Belencoso and aren't worried by him.'
Persib host Bali United this weekend and fans have been out in force buying tickets. As ever they will be behind their team all the way through the 90 minutes but if they sense Belencoso hasn't imporved they said they will be complaining loud and clear.
Persib may lack Barcelona's presence on the world stage but their fans have the same sense of urgency. Then again, if Belencoso hits a hat trick against Bali United he would soon become a hero!
UPDATE - Persib manager Umuh says Persib are planning to sign two new strikers, both naturalised Indonesians. No names of course but they better move quickly with the transfer window closing 15 May. Sergio van Dijk anyone? Greg Nwokolo?
Labels: Bobotoh, Indonesian Football, Juan Belencoso, Persib, Sergio van Dijk
Thursday, May 05, 2016
Indonesian Fans Enter Advertising World
Stories You Never Hear Part 2,382
Persib fans are not happy these days. As reported a couple of days ago they were not impressed by their team's performance v Sriwijaya in the opening game of the season when they needed an injury time equaliser from Tantan to spare their blushes.
After flooding social media with their angst and ire they went a step further when some fans tried to post an small ad in a local paper.
The text for the advert says 'Kim (Kurniawan Jeffrey), please give the ball to Robertinho, not to Vlado (Vladomir Vujovic)'.
Unfortunately the paper declined the advert and asked the fans to send their bank details for a refund!
The paper then wrote a story about the advert, complete with the original order, pictured top left, and an explanation why they never used the ad. And of course in the body of the story they repeat the words or the failed ad giving far more exposure than any small ad could ever have achieved!
Kudos to Stadion Siliwangi website, the people behind the ad. I bet they never realised the publicity they would get!
Keeping with the same theme of advertsing, Jakarta based fans of PSS Sleman have clubbed together to pay for an advertising board at the Maguwoharjo Stadium!
For a team that has achieved nothing but second tier midtable mediocrity for ever PSS have an amazing support. The first time I saw them was at Lebak Bulus against Persija and they had several hundred fans in the away enclosure.
The fans also do a pretty mean version of Cock Sparrer's England Belongs To Me
You just don't get these stories in Thailand!
Persib fans are not happy these days. As reported a couple of days ago they were not impressed by their team's performance v Sriwijaya in the opening game of the season when they needed an injury time equaliser from Tantan to spare their blushes.After flooding social media with their angst and ire they went a step further when some fans tried to post an small ad in a local paper.
The text for the advert says 'Kim (Kurniawan Jeffrey), please give the ball to Robertinho, not to Vlado (Vladomir Vujovic)'.
Unfortunately the paper declined the advert and asked the fans to send their bank details for a refund!
The paper then wrote a story about the advert, complete with the original order, pictured top left, and an explanation why they never used the ad. And of course in the body of the story they repeat the words or the failed ad giving far more exposure than any small ad could ever have achieved!
Kudos to Stadion Siliwangi website, the people behind the ad. I bet they never realised the publicity they would get!
For a team that has achieved nothing but second tier midtable mediocrity for ever PSS have an amazing support. The first time I saw them was at Lebak Bulus against Persija and they had several hundred fans in the away enclosure.
The fans also do a pretty mean version of Cock Sparrer's England Belongs To Me
You just don't get these stories in Thailand!
Labels: Bobotoh, Indonesian Football, Persib, PSS, Slemania
Tuesday, May 03, 2016
Despite The Stats, Pressure Mounts On Persib Coach Dejan
The pressure at Persib is perhaps bigger than any other club in Indonesia. More so after they won the ISL in 2014 and the President Cup last year. Persib fans, known as Bobotoh, don't expect success. They demand it.
So since Persib were held 1-1 by Sriwijaya in their opening Indonesia Soccer Championship game of the season at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium at the weekend the outpouring of grief and angst has been constant.
Persib were behind for half of the game after conceding a first half injury time goal. They equalised in injury time of the second half. Now Sriwijaya ain't a bad team. In fact their recruitment policy seems to be along the lines of 'well, it worked for Persib' so many of their alumni are in their ranks. When it comes to the end of the season Sriwijaya will be there or thereabouts.
That doesn't concern Persib fans. They feel their side should have won and have been scouring around for scapegoats. Coach Dejan Antonic and midfielder Kim Jeffry Kurniawan have come under the spotlight for some reason with fans at a training session yesterday holding up banners asking questions of the pair.
Now I am not one for stats normally but if we look at the numbers provided by the ISC's official sports data firm Persib don't come out of it looking too bad at all. A bit profligate in front of goal perhaps but that is hardly Kim's fault. He is more a Billy Bremner than a Alan Sniffer' Clarke.
Indeed after the game and perhaps in a response to the vitriol coming from distraught Persib fans, Labbola tweeted coach Dejan Antonic Kim's stats.
47 successful passes (an 85% accuracy rate)
3 successful tackles (100% success rate)
Fouled 4 times
2 crosses out of four attempts
0 fouls committed
2 chances created.
Labbola signed off the series of tweets saying 'oh, and 2 chances created. More than any players in the match'
This weekend Persib face a tricky away game at Pusamania Borneo and this is hardly the best preparation. At training yesterday coach Dejan tried to downplay the fans banners by saying 'it is normal. They are free to do what they want.' Dejan coached Kim while they were at Pelita Bandung Raya and he has said he does not favour the tigerish midfielder and he added 'Collectively there were problems (v Sriwijaya) because we have many new players. Don't be so quick to judge us.'
Dejan has been around the block in Asian football including as a player with Persebaya, Persema and Persita. As a coach he did a good job with Arema IPL in the AFC Cup a few years back. He knows the score and he knows the pressures that come with coaching one of the biggest clubs in South East Asia. He will also know that while Persib do not have a reputation as a sacking club never far from the sports pages is former coach Djajang Nurjaman, fresh from a stint in Italy with Inter Milan.
So since Persib were held 1-1 by Sriwijaya in their opening Indonesia Soccer Championship game of the season at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium at the weekend the outpouring of grief and angst has been constant.
Persib were behind for half of the game after conceding a first half injury time goal. They equalised in injury time of the second half. Now Sriwijaya ain't a bad team. In fact their recruitment policy seems to be along the lines of 'well, it worked for Persib' so many of their alumni are in their ranks. When it comes to the end of the season Sriwijaya will be there or thereabouts.
That doesn't concern Persib fans. They feel their side should have won and have been scouring around for scapegoats. Coach Dejan Antonic and midfielder Kim Jeffry Kurniawan have come under the spotlight for some reason with fans at a training session yesterday holding up banners asking questions of the pair.Now I am not one for stats normally but if we look at the numbers provided by the ISC's official sports data firm Persib don't come out of it looking too bad at all. A bit profligate in front of goal perhaps but that is hardly Kim's fault. He is more a Billy Bremner than a Alan Sniffer' Clarke.
Indeed after the game and perhaps in a response to the vitriol coming from distraught Persib fans, Labbola tweeted coach Dejan Antonic Kim's stats.
47 successful passes (an 85% accuracy rate)
3 successful tackles (100% success rate)
Fouled 4 times
2 crosses out of four attempts
0 fouls committed
2 chances created.
Labbola signed off the series of tweets saying 'oh, and 2 chances created. More than any players in the match'
This weekend Persib face a tricky away game at Pusamania Borneo and this is hardly the best preparation. At training yesterday coach Dejan tried to downplay the fans banners by saying 'it is normal. They are free to do what they want.' Dejan coached Kim while they were at Pelita Bandung Raya and he has said he does not favour the tigerish midfielder and he added 'Collectively there were problems (v Sriwijaya) because we have many new players. Don't be so quick to judge us.'
Dejan has been around the block in Asian football including as a player with Persebaya, Persema and Persita. As a coach he did a good job with Arema IPL in the AFC Cup a few years back. He knows the score and he knows the pressures that come with coaching one of the biggest clubs in South East Asia. He will also know that while Persib do not have a reputation as a sacking club never far from the sports pages is former coach Djajang Nurjaman, fresh from a stint in Italy with Inter Milan.
Labels: Bandung, Bobotoh, Dejan Antonic, Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan, Persib
Sunday, May 01, 2016
Tantan Saves Persib Blushes
Persela v Gresik United 0-1 (Yusuf Efendi) 13,150
Persela: Choirul Huda; Eki Taufik (Taufik 75'), Samsul Arifin, Kristian Adelmund, Ramadan Saputra, Radikal Idealis (Tamsil 45+1'), Jusmadi, Edy Gunawan, Zulvin Zamrun, Mohammad Kdouh (Dendi 57'), Herman Dzumafo.
Subs: Dwi Kuswanto; Djayusman Triasdi, Taufik Kasrun, Tamsil Sijaya, Zainal Arifin, Steven Imbiri, Dendi Sulistyawan.
Gresik United: M Irfan (Sandi 61'); Sasa Zecevic, Ambrizal, Supriono, Romi Agustiawan, Oh Inkyun (Stevi 90+2'), M Rifky, Yusuf Efendi, Emile Mbamba, M Kamri, Eduardo Maciel (Hendri 74').
Subs: Sandi Firmansyah; Daniel Junaidi, Agus Indra, Stevi Bungaran, Reza Mustofa, Hendri Satriadi, Ghazali Siregar.
Persib v Sriwijaya 1-1 (Tantan; Alberto Goncalves) 25,125
Indonesia Super League champions and winners of the President Cup Persib left it late to earn a point from the opening game of the ISC campaign. Tantan, on as a second half replacement for Argentine import Robertinho saved Persib's blushes in injury time but judging by Twitter the Bobotoh were in no mood to rejoice.
Sriwijaya had done their homework. Despite going into the game with a youngster between the sticks, well, early 20s, they stuffed their outfield with former Persib players and it was the visitors who took the lead in injury time of the first half with ex Persipura, Arema striker Goncalves finding the net.
Last season I felt that Sriwijaya had recruited well but we never got a chance to see them at their best before the campaign was halted. This year, adopting the policy if it worked for Persib then why not us the two time ISL champions raided the West Java club for players. Not a bad start eh? And not a bad return journey for the 100 or so Sriwijaya fans who travelled overland from Palembang...about 750 kilometres with a sea crossing thrown in!
After the game Persib coach Dejan Antonic admitted the team had not played too well saying it was important the team did not lose but several of his players underperformed and he was pleased with their showing in the last 25 minutes.
Persib: I Made Wirawan; Purwaka Yudhi, Yanto Basna, Tony Sucipto, Vladimir Vujovic, Atep (David 59'), Hariono, Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan, Robertino Pugliara (Tantan 62'), Juan Belencoso, Samsul Arif (Febri 76').
Subs: M Natshir; Hermawan, M Agung Pribadi, David Laly, Febri Haryadi, Taufiq, Tantan.
Sriwijaya FC: Teja Paku Alam; Ngurah Nanak, Achmad Jufriyanto, Fachrudin Aryanto, Supardi, Wildansyah (Eka 85'), Firman Utina (Ichsan 64'), M Ridwan (Mushafry 69'), Yu Hyun Koo, Hilton Moreira, Alberto Goncalves.
Subs: Yogi Triana; Eka Ramdani, Ichsan Kurniawan, Zalnando, Airlangga Sucipto, TA Mushafry, Yohannis Nabar.
Barito Putera v Bhayangkara Surabaya United 1-2 (Ibrahim Conteh; Otavio Dutra, Rudi Widodo) 8,178
It was the home team that took the lead through Conteh but the new look Surabaya United, their first game since they merged with PS Polri fought back and earned three points thanks to a second half winner from the experienced Widodo with just six minutes on the clock.
The Cops had Shane Malcolm in their starting line up after signing the Jamaican born Guam international pre season. He had previously played for Stirling Lions in Western Australia.
Barito coach Mundari Karya rued the first half penalty awarded to BS United by the ref saying the official was too far from the action to have seen the incident clearly. 'I still respect the decision,' he said, 'even though it changed the players attitude.'
Barito Putera: Aditya Harlan; Hansamu Yama, Mamdou El Hadji, Aswar Syamsuddin, Fathul Rahman, Lucky Wahyu ( Amirul Mukminin 69'), Adam Alis, Ibrahim Conteh, Ichsan Pratama (Paolo Sitanggang 46'), Dedi Hartono, Junior (Yongki Ariwibowo 71').
Subs: Imam A Fadillah; M Khusen, Amirul Mukminin, Paolo Sitanggang, Jefry Haay, Yongki Ariwibowo, Agi Pratama.
BS United: Wahyu Tri Nugroho; Oktavio Dutra, Suroso, Putu Gede, Fathurahman, Abel Gebor (Zulfiandi 56'), Hargianto, Fandi Eko Utomo, Abdelkibir, Rudi Widodo, Shane Malcolm.
Cadangan: Thomas Ryan; Sahrul K, Herwin Tri, Fitra Ridwan, Zulfiandi, Ilham Udin, Wahyu Subo Seto.
Persela: Choirul Huda; Eki Taufik (Taufik 75'), Samsul Arifin, Kristian Adelmund, Ramadan Saputra, Radikal Idealis (Tamsil 45+1'), Jusmadi, Edy Gunawan, Zulvin Zamrun, Mohammad Kdouh (Dendi 57'), Herman Dzumafo.
Subs: Dwi Kuswanto; Djayusman Triasdi, Taufik Kasrun, Tamsil Sijaya, Zainal Arifin, Steven Imbiri, Dendi Sulistyawan.
Gresik United: M Irfan (Sandi 61'); Sasa Zecevic, Ambrizal, Supriono, Romi Agustiawan, Oh Inkyun (Stevi 90+2'), M Rifky, Yusuf Efendi, Emile Mbamba, M Kamri, Eduardo Maciel (Hendri 74').
Subs: Sandi Firmansyah; Daniel Junaidi, Agus Indra, Stevi Bungaran, Reza Mustofa, Hendri Satriadi, Ghazali Siregar.
Persib v Sriwijaya 1-1 (Tantan; Alberto Goncalves) 25,125
Indonesia Super League champions and winners of the President Cup Persib left it late to earn a point from the opening game of the ISC campaign. Tantan, on as a second half replacement for Argentine import Robertinho saved Persib's blushes in injury time but judging by Twitter the Bobotoh were in no mood to rejoice.
Sriwijaya had done their homework. Despite going into the game with a youngster between the sticks, well, early 20s, they stuffed their outfield with former Persib players and it was the visitors who took the lead in injury time of the first half with ex Persipura, Arema striker Goncalves finding the net.
Last season I felt that Sriwijaya had recruited well but we never got a chance to see them at their best before the campaign was halted. This year, adopting the policy if it worked for Persib then why not us the two time ISL champions raided the West Java club for players. Not a bad start eh? And not a bad return journey for the 100 or so Sriwijaya fans who travelled overland from Palembang...about 750 kilometres with a sea crossing thrown in!
After the game Persib coach Dejan Antonic admitted the team had not played too well saying it was important the team did not lose but several of his players underperformed and he was pleased with their showing in the last 25 minutes.
Persib: I Made Wirawan; Purwaka Yudhi, Yanto Basna, Tony Sucipto, Vladimir Vujovic, Atep (David 59'), Hariono, Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan, Robertino Pugliara (Tantan 62'), Juan Belencoso, Samsul Arif (Febri 76').
Subs: M Natshir; Hermawan, M Agung Pribadi, David Laly, Febri Haryadi, Taufiq, Tantan.
Sriwijaya FC: Teja Paku Alam; Ngurah Nanak, Achmad Jufriyanto, Fachrudin Aryanto, Supardi, Wildansyah (Eka 85'), Firman Utina (Ichsan 64'), M Ridwan (Mushafry 69'), Yu Hyun Koo, Hilton Moreira, Alberto Goncalves.
Subs: Yogi Triana; Eka Ramdani, Ichsan Kurniawan, Zalnando, Airlangga Sucipto, TA Mushafry, Yohannis Nabar.
Barito Putera v Bhayangkara Surabaya United 1-2 (Ibrahim Conteh; Otavio Dutra, Rudi Widodo) 8,178
It was the home team that took the lead through Conteh but the new look Surabaya United, their first game since they merged with PS Polri fought back and earned three points thanks to a second half winner from the experienced Widodo with just six minutes on the clock.
The Cops had Shane Malcolm in their starting line up after signing the Jamaican born Guam international pre season. He had previously played for Stirling Lions in Western Australia.
Barito coach Mundari Karya rued the first half penalty awarded to BS United by the ref saying the official was too far from the action to have seen the incident clearly. 'I still respect the decision,' he said, 'even though it changed the players attitude.'
Barito Putera: Aditya Harlan; Hansamu Yama, Mamdou El Hadji, Aswar Syamsuddin, Fathul Rahman, Lucky Wahyu ( Amirul Mukminin 69'), Adam Alis, Ibrahim Conteh, Ichsan Pratama (Paolo Sitanggang 46'), Dedi Hartono, Junior (Yongki Ariwibowo 71').
Subs: Imam A Fadillah; M Khusen, Amirul Mukminin, Paolo Sitanggang, Jefry Haay, Yongki Ariwibowo, Agi Pratama.
BS United: Wahyu Tri Nugroho; Oktavio Dutra, Suroso, Putu Gede, Fathurahman, Abel Gebor (Zulfiandi 56'), Hargianto, Fandi Eko Utomo, Abdelkibir, Rudi Widodo, Shane Malcolm.
Cadangan: Thomas Ryan; Sahrul K, Herwin Tri, Fitra Ridwan, Zulfiandi, Ilham Udin, Wahyu Subo Seto.
Labels: Barito Putera, Bhayangkara Surabaya United, Bobotoh, East Java Derby, Gresik United, Persela, Persib, PS Polri, Sriwijaya, Tantan
