Jakarta (Rifyu.com) – The Indonesian national team is again burdened with big targets at the 2023 Cambodian SEA Games. Like participation in previous years, the U-22 national team players this time are again expected to end their 32-year wait for gold medals.
The sweet story of getting a gold medal necklace that was the last time Robby Darwis’ generation felt, now coach Indra Sjafri’s team wants to repeat it again. The first opponent is now in sight, namely the Philippines, which throughout the history of meetings at the SEA Games has never been a serious threat to the Indonesian team.
During the five meetings at the SEA Games, only once did the Philippines team manage to hold Indonesia to a draw. This happened at the 1977 SEA Games, when the Indonesian team drew 1-1.
After that, the Indonesian team always came out victorious when they met the Philippines in the SEA Games. In 1987, Indonesia was able to win 2-0, then at the 1989 SEA Games Indonesia even made a big 5-1 victory.
Indonesia’s dominance over the Philippines continued in the 1991 SEA Games, when Indonesia beat the Philippines with a score of 2-1. Indonesia’s victory over the same opponent was even greater in the 1993 SEA Games, when the Garuda troops beat the Philippines with a score of 3-1.
After that, Indonesia never even conceded at all every time it played against the Philippines in the SEA Games. In 1997, Indonesia, which hosted the event, won 2-0. Victory by the same score was repeated in 2015.
Two years later, Indonesia won 3-0. Then at the last meeting at the Southeast Asian Games, Indonesia thrashed the Philippines with a 4-0 victory.
Estimates of players and formations
These positive notes may be additional ammunition for the strength of the Indonesian national team ahead of the SEA Games this time. However, the sweet note may only be a story of the past if in reality Indonesia is not able to show its best abilities.
Fortunately coach Indra Sjafri had relatively enough time to prepare his team. In addition to providing the opportunity to join the national team for players who last season defended Liga 2 club Persika Bandung Regency, Haykal Alhafiz, he also received a valuable addition in the figure of two players playing abroad.
The two figures are Tokyo left back, Verdy Pratama Arhan, and KMSK Deinze midfielder, Marselino Ferdinan. As is well known, Arhan has had very few opportunities to play for the Japanese club Tokyo, but coach Indra Sjafri believes the former PSIS Semarang player’s training experience at a club in one of the best leagues in Asia will make a positive contribution to the team’s play.
Meanwhile, Marcelino joined the national team in a very good mood. Marselino recently recorded a goal for Deinze when the club won 3-1 over Virton in the relegation playoff match of the Belgian second division competition, on Saturday (22/4).
Coach Indra Sjafri is known to like to use a 4-3-3 formation for his teams. A little flashback to the 2019 SEA Games final, when Indonesia under coach Indra Sjafri lost 0-3 at the hands of Vietnam. At that time, coach Indra Sjafri installed Nadeo Argawinata as goalkeeper, then the quartet Asnawi Mangkualam, Andy Setyo, Bagas Adi and Firza Andika occupied the back line.
For the midfield, at that time coach Indra entrusted the trio of Sani Rizki, Evan Dimas and Zulfiandi, while up front he installed the trio of Osvaldo Haay, Witan Sulaeman and Saddil Ramdani.
A similar formation was used by coach Indra Sjafri in the last trial match for the national team, against Lebanon in mid-April. At that time, for the first 11 coaches fielded goalkeeper Adi Satryo, then the back line was occupied by the quartet Fajar Fathurrahman, Rizky Ridho, Alfeandra Dewangga and Salman Alfarid.
For the midfield he played the trio Beckham Putra, David Maulana and Kanu Helmiawan. On the attack line, coach Indra relied on the trio Fajar Fathur Rahman, Hokky Caraka and Ronaldo Kwateh to be relied on to break into the opponent’s goal.
Seeing coach Indra Sjafri’s preference for the 4-3-3 formation, it is very likely that he will use this formation against the Philippines in the first match of Group A, Saturday.
To fill the goalkeeper position, it is likely he will choose to play Persebaya Surabaya goalkeeper Ernando Ari, who has played more minutes than other goalkeeper Muhammad Adi Satryo.
At the back, Arhan will terrorize the Philippines from the left-back sector while maintaining defense, while the best young player in the 2022/2023 League 1 season, Rio Fahmi, has the opportunity to be entrusted with filling the right wing position. Two tough centre-backs, Rizky Ridho and Alfeandra Dewangga will be the rocks in front of goalkeeper Ernando.
In the midfield, the player who helped PSM Makassar win League 1 last season, Ananda Raehan, will provide protection for the back line with his role as a defensive midfielder. Meanwhile, the two creative midfielders Beckham Putra and Marselino will supply the ball for the attackers as well as pose a threat to the Philippines goal.
The attacking trio is likely to be filled by Persija Jakarta player Witan Sulaeman, PSM Makassar striker Ramadhan Sananta and Titan Agung who can play as a winger.
Estimated line-up for Indonesia against the Philippines:
Ernando Ari, Pratama Arhan, Rizky Ridho, Alfeandra Dewangga, Rio Fahmi, Ananda Raehan, Beckham Putra, Marselino Ferdinan, Witan Sulaeman, Ramadhan Sananta, Titan Agung
Editor: Slamet Hadi Purnomo
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source: www.antaranews.com
