Courtesy: The Jakarta Globe


Coach Lauds National Team’s Efforts in Close Loss to Thailand

The national team lost 3-2 to Thailand at the close of the group stage in the Asean Football Federation Futsal Championship at Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday night.

The loss put Indonesia in second place in Group A behind undefeated Thailand, and it will play Group B winner Vietnam in Friday’s semifinals. The host clobbered East Timor 21-1 in its last group match.

Thailand will face the Philippines in the other semifinal.

Indonesia coach Justinus Lhaksana said he was confident about his team’s chances.

“All my players have improved their skills collectively and individually,” Justinus said. “Even though we lost to Thailand, I like the way the team played.”

“If they maintain the same level of performance, and if they play with more discipline, I know it won’t be difficult to beat Vietnam,” he added.

With the group leadership in mind, Thailand and Indonesia brought their A-games in a battle of two undefeated teams going into Wednesday’s match.

But it was Thailand that initiated the attack and forced Indonesia on the defensive early.

The Thais broke through Indonesia’s tight defense five minutes before halftime, as Keattiyot Chalaemkhet scored in the 15th minute. Keattiyot added another goal in the 21st.

Indonesia finally got on the scoreboard with Sayan Karmadi’s goal in the 22nd, but Thailand made it 3-1 a minute later courtesy of Jirawat Sornwichian.

Afif Tamimy’s score in the 26th kept the Indonesians’ hopes alive, but they were held scoreless the rest of the way.

Indonesia lost to Thailand 5-1 in the title game last year.

“That kind of performance was what I’ve always ask of the boys,” Justinus said. “Playing with full commitment, determination, speed and power. That’s what modern futsal is all about. We just have to limit our mistakes next time and we’ll be fine.”

The National Futsal Body (BFN) may have gotten a bargain out of this team.

Prior to Vietnam, Justinus’s players were training under a tight budget that forced them to stay at home during camp, compared to the national footballers who were quartered in five-star hotels. National futsal players receive only $100 (Rp 1 million) a day, and have not been promised bonuses by the BFN.

“This is not about the money,” captain Denny Handoyo said. “It’s all about wearing the flag on our jerseys and being proud to be part of the national team.”

Sayan said the hardships had only brought the players closer together.

“I don’t really care about what we get or what we don’t get,” he said. “There’s a job that needs to be finished and that’s where our focus is.”






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com