Benny announced National Team Squad

April 1, 2001

After holding a selection for about two weeks, head coach Benny Dollo finally announced his squad for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. The squad consists of 25 players, and is a combination of senior and junior players. There are 13 senior players and 12 junior U23 ones. This policy has been taken by the head coach to prepare the young guns for future events, such as SEA Games later this year in Malaysia.

Even then, Benny is still giving his words to the eliminated players that they will still be watched upon.

"If in our preparation for the matches, some players are injured or perform bad, we will definitely call up replacements," said Benny.

From the 25 players, the junior players are spread in all positions: 1 in goalkeeping, 4 in defense, 5 in midfield, and 2 in forward.

Persija Jakarta's bomber, who is also the current league's top scorer, Budi Sudarsono is included in the squad. This will be the first cap for the 21-year-old prolific striker. In Saturday's friendly game against Premier Division outfit Persikota Kab. Tangerang, he was played as starter alongside Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto.

In the match that ended 4-3 for the national team, the national players looked more adept to playing pressing football, though at times still lack improvisations.

"The boys couldn't adapt to the conditions of the pitch well," said Benny. The field was wet after heavy rain.

Winger Ismed Sofyan (Jakarta FC) scored two goals for the national team, while Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto (PSM Makassar) and Bambang Pamungkas (Persija Jakarta) added one each. All three goals for Persikota were scored by their Cameroonian striker Francis Yonga.

Several Premier Division coaches see that the composition of players are well-picked. However, according to Persikabo's head coach Sutan Harhara, players still lack coordination now and then.

"In defense, for example, the three central defenders are not yet in rhythm with each other and their teamwork needs to be improved," said Sutan.

In attack, however, Sutan said that Benny will have to make a choice regarding his starting pair, whether it be Kurniawan-Budi or Kurniawan-Bambang. Gendut Dony, 2000 Tiger Cup top scorer, is also a more-than-capable partner for Kurniawan.

Players played in the friendly game against Persikota: goalie Hendro Kartiko, defenders Sugiantoro, Aples Tecuari/Eko Purjiyanto, Warsidi, Ismed Sofyan/Isnan Ali, midfielders Agung Setyabudi, Yaris Riyadi/Firman Utina, Bima Sakti, Maman/Uston Nawawi, strikers Budi Sudarsono, Bambang Pamungkas, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto

National Team Squad

from Jawa Pos Online