PSM Hasn't Shown Their True Form Yet

As the defending champions of Indonesian League and as a team that consists of many top players, PSM Makassar's performances so far in the league are far from convincing. Last year, they looked so mighty in the Asian Champions Cup, beating Vietnamese and Thai clubs so easily. And also during their pre-season tour in Java, where they were unstoppable.

So far this season, out of six matches, they only won three times, drew twice, and lost once to their mortal enemies and last-year runners-up, PKT Bontang. Their strikers have been having trouble scoring, and many other teams are now hotter than they are.

The following is an interview conducted by national sports newspaper, BOLA, with PSM head coach Syamsuddin Umar.

As favorite champions, PSM's performances are far from satisfying. What's the problem?

Honestly, PSM hasn't come into their true form yet. Maybe the problem is that after we had a late start compared to other clubs. After Asian Champions Cup matches late last year, we gave all the players a holiday. Then when we started the practice again, the fasting month was also starting and our preparation was not maximal.

What about the pressure of being the defending champions? Does it have a big influence on the team?

Of course it does. The public has high demand and expectation from us, and these things burden our players psychologically, in one way or another. You can see how the boys get nervous playing in front of home crowd. But it's a natural thing, and I treat it as another challenge that the team must face.

Is there another factor? The team's harmony, maybe?

No problem within the team; as a matter of fact, it's very conducive. I don't want to find a scapegoat for our loss in Kalimantan, but the referee was partial towards them and we were very unlucky. Against PKT Bontang (0-2), we should've been given three penalty kicks. Against Putra Samarinda (0-0), we controlled the match and had 25 chances in front of the goal, but not one made through.

Is there are plan to change the "tridente" system? (Playing three strikers up front: Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, Miro Baldo Bento, Fouda Ntsama)

I haven't thought about it yet. I still believe that, slowly but surely, the three of them will gel again just like last year. Besides, this system is not purely tridente, because I usually play Miro Baldo Bento a little behind the other two.

By the way, Joseph Lewono has shown a greater influence in defense. You can see how extremely well he man-marked Persebaya's Jacksen F. Tiago. (The match ended 1-0 for PSM)

Lewono is always a first choice in the back. But other players like Suwandi Hadi Siswoyo, Syamsuddin Batola, and Ali Baba have shown great work-rate as well.

Do you still believe you can take PSM to be the champions again?

I'm an optimistic person. If not, I would've not accepted the responsibility of coaching this club. There's still a long way to go, and there's a lot of time to turn this team into their true form.

from: BolaNews Sportsline