Young Garuda Looks to End 32-Year Wait for Gold

HUMAS PSSI

Indonesian player, M Ferrari (right), celebrates his goal against Vietnam in the SEA Games Cambodia 2023 men's football semifinal at the Phnom Penh National Stadium, Cambodia, Saturday (13/5/2023). Indonesia won, 3-2.

PHNOM PENH, KOMPAS — In contrast to the previous editions, there is no longer excessive euphoria among the Indonesian football squad members facing the final at the ongoing SEA Games. It is refraining from the hubbub of the virtual world in order to focus on one of its biggest missions: to bring home the football gold medal after a 32-year wait.

Indonesia will take on Thailand, whose undisputed achievement at SEA Games earns it the status as king of Southeast Asian football, in the final on Tuesday evening (16/5/2023) at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. Thailand is the winner of 16 SEA Games men's football gold medals, while Indonesia has only bagged two.

When it comes to taking the one last shot at a championship, Indonesia has been the most unsuccessful finalist in regional football competitions. In the past three SEA Games finals it appeared in since football implemented the age limit for players (U-23) for the region’s biennial multisport showcase in 2001, Indonesia failed every time.

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Indonesia's U-23 squad lost on penalties to Malaysia in 2011 in Jakarta. Two years later in Myanmar, it fell to Thailand 0-1. In the Philippines 2019, when the age limit U-22 was imposed, Young Garuda was crushed by Vietnam 0-3.

Outside of SEA Games, the senior team has had a similar experience. At AFF Cup, Southeast Asia's biggest biennial football tournament, begun 27 years ago, the Garuda team reached the final six times only to lose out on each occasion. Recurrent failure in the final shot has earned Indonesia the status as runner-up specialist.

There is no more euphoria now. The kids are really focused.

Having been embroiled in prolonged pitfalls, the Young Garuda Muda players have approached the buildup to today’s match with more caution than elation despite their success in reaching the final at the expense of defending champion Vietnam. Down to 10 men and trailing 1-2, they managed to fight back to win the semifinal match, 3-2.

"I have pointed out to them [players and coaching staff] that based on the evaluation we always had problems ahead of the final. One reason was [the team let up because of excessive] euphoria. Well, there is no more euphoria now. The kids are really focused," team manager Sumardji said.

HUMAS PSSI

Indonesian player, Komang Teguh, celebrates his goal against Vietnam in the SEA Games Cambodia 2023 men's football semifinal at the Phnom Penh National Stadium, Cambodia, Saturday (13/5/2023). Indonesia won, 3-2.

Social media “diet”

In order to keep the team focused for the final, Sumardji and the coaching staff members are monitoring players’ activities tightly. They are being discouraged from interacting with those outside the team or engaging in social media. Not allowed to go out, they will usually spend their free time after practices by chatting and joking with each other.

That the players should get focused on games has become the coach’s priority, with the presence of psychologists in the team. The psychologists are expected to intervene when a player experiences distress and other mental problems. Sumardji attributed Indonesia’s comeback win over Vietnam in the semifinal partly to psychologists’ positive role in shaping up the players’ fighting mentality.

Psychologist were also in the Indonesian team at Philippines 1991 when Indonesia defeated Thailand on penalty shootout in the final. It was the last gold-winning run by an Indonesian football team at SEA Games. It also marked the last time Indonesia was able to triumph over the competition’s nemesis, given the following editions in which Indonesia always lost to the same opponent in 1997 and 2013.

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Team coach Indra Sjafri expressed his optimism against Thailand this time around, saying his team had been more well-prepared than in previous meetings. “This team has progressed through four matches in the group phase and one in the semifinals. They [prove] to have gone through it well. I hope …. we along with the players are resolved that we will give our best tomorrow [today]," he said during a press conference on Monday.

Indra's optimism rests on the positive development showed by the team since the group phase. Indonesia is the only team to have swept all five matches with wins. It is also the most-productive team, having scored 16 goals and conceded three.

Thailand, which won seven of eight previous finals since the age limitation was introduced at SEA Games, won four matches and draws, scoring 13 goals and conceding three.

KOMPAS/I GUSTI AGUNG BAGUS ANGGA PUTRA

The coach of the Indonesian U-22 football team, Indra Sjafri (left), listens to journalists' questions at the Phnom Penh Hotel, Cambodia, during a press conference session ahead of the semifinal match between Indonesia and Vietnam, Friday (12/5/2023).

Pitfalls in cross-anticipation

Apart from perfect performance as the statistics show, Indra seemed concerned about the problem at the back line; he said the players were not good enough at anticipating ball crosses. He pointed out all three goals Indonesia had conceded had begun with the process of the opposing teams sending crosses.

In the final, Indonesia will not field left back Pratama Arhan due to the red card he received in the Vietnam match. Currently playing for Japanese second division’s Tokyo Verdy, he has had a positive effect on the team.

Arhan was the creator of two of Indonesia's three goals against Vietnam. Indra said he already had a plan in Arhan's absence, with Haykal Alhafiz being the replacement at left back. “So, tomorrow [today], we will play with a squad of 19 players. And the 19 players are all ready to give their best," he said.

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He also said he and coaching members had studied the Thai games. Armed with the results of the analysis team, the "War Elephants", Indra said he had prepared the best strategy to overcome the opponent.

"Early today, from 8 to 11 a.m., we analyzed all their matches as to what are the advantages and disadvantages and how to respond to them. Let’s see tomorrow. Hopefully our response or game plan will work against them," he said.

Meanwhile, Thailand coach Issara Sritaro said he had expected Indonesia's impressive performance in the competition. He added his team should be alert in the game given Indonesia had many players with good speed. (JON)

This article was translated by Musthofid.