Indonesia's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup may have been somewhat chaotic but the co-hosts remain positive about their chances of upsetting the odds.
Just six months before the start of the tournament Ivan Kolev was re-appointed as coach and he will be hoping to pick up where he left off three years ago.
Under Kolev, Indonesia broke new ground at the Asian Cup in 2004 when they picked up their first victory in the finals with a 2-1 win in the opening match against Qatar, thanks to a stunning strike by Ponaryo Astaman and a heroic display in goal by Hendro Kartiko.
However, as had been the case in their two previous appearances in 1996 and 2000, the Indonesians failed to make it past the group stage as they were overrun 5-0 by hosts China before slipping to an unfortunate 3-1 defeat to Bahrain in their final game.
It was a valiant performance by Kolev's side but with Englishman Peter Withe having already signed a contract with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to take charge after the Asian Cup, it was clear that the Bulgarian was already on borrowed time from the outset of the tournament.
The PSSI were hoping that the appointment of former Thailand coach Withe could turn their national team into the dominant force in South East Asian football following consecutive runner-up finishes in the Asean Football Championship in 2000 and 2002. But despite reaching the final for a third consecutive time in January 2005, they were left with silver medals once again after crashing to a 5-2 aggregate defeat against Singapore.
Hopes were high that Indonesia would finally claim the elusive Asean crown earlier this year but despite not losing a match they failed to even make it past the group stage, going out on goal difference after only defeating minnows Laos 3-1 and being held to draws by Vietnam and Singapore.
Withe may not have been far off the mark with the view that his side had just been unlucky, but he paid for their failure with his job as Kolev was brought back to take charge of preparations for the Asian Cup.
The advantage of re-appointing the Bulgarian was his familiarity with the players in the squad from his two years as national coach and spells in charge of league sides Persija Jakarta, Mitra Kukar and Persipura Jayapura.
For leadership on the pitch, Kolev will look to stalwart Ponaryo, who is likely to anchor a three-man midfield alongside Firman Utima and Mahyadi Panggabean.
With veteran goalkeeper Hendro falling out of favour after his poor performance in the Asean Football Championship, Yandri Christian Pitoy is expected to take over between the posts, playing behind a defence that includes full backs Erol Iba and Supardi, and central defenders Charis Yulianto and Maman Abdurrahman.
Kolev had hoped to partner the in-form Boaz Salossa alongside Bambang Pamungkas up front but the 20-year-old Persipura Jayapura striker suffered a broken ankle during a 3-0 friendly win over Hong Kong in early June, ruling him out of the tournament.
Despite that blow, Kolev remains upbeat. He said: "We are sorry for Boaz. Once again, we have our 23 best players who are ready to give everything they can for Indonesia. That is the important thing."
With Boaz out, prolific Persika striker Bambang will likely team up with Arema Malang forward Elie Aiboy and Budi Sudarsono, who made his mark with goals for Persik Kediri against Sydney FC and Urawa Reds in the AFC Champions League this season.
Monday, July 9, 2007
GROUP D: Indonesia aim to be hosts with most - PA Sport
Indonesia's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup may have been somewhat chaotic but the co-hosts remain positive about their chances of upsetting the odds.
Just six months before the start of the tournament Ivan Kolev was re-appointed as coach and he will be hoping to pick up where he left off three years ago.
Under Kolev, Indonesia broke new ground at the Asian Cup in 2004 when they picked up their first victory in the finals with a 2-1 win in the opening match against Qatar, thanks to a stunning strike by Ponaryo Astaman and a heroic display in goal by Hendro Kartiko.
However, as had been the case in their two previous appearances in 1996 and 2000, the Indonesians failed to make it past the group stage as they were overrun 5-0 by hosts China before slipping to an unfortunate 3-1 defeat to Bahrain in their final game.
It was a valiant performance by Kolev's side but with Englishman Peter Withe having already signed a contract with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to take charge after the Asian Cup, it was clear that the Bulgarian was already on borrowed time from the outset of the tournament.
The PSSI were hoping that the appointment of former Thailand coach Withe could turn their national team into the dominant force in South East Asian football following consecutive runner-up finishes in the Asean Football Championship in 2000 and 2002. But despite reaching the final for a third consecutive time in January 2005, they were left with silver medals once again after crashing to a 5-2 aggregate defeat against Singapore.
Hopes were high that Indonesia would finally claim the elusive Asean crown earlier this year but despite not losing a match they failed to even make it past the group stage, going out on goal difference after only defeating minnows Laos 3-1 and being held to draws by Vietnam and Singapore.
Withe may not have been far off the mark with the view that his side had just been unlucky, but he paid for their failure with his job as Kolev was brought back to take charge of preparations for the Asian Cup.
The advantage of re-appointing the Bulgarian was his familiarity with the players in the squad from his two years as national coach and spells in charge of league sides Persija Jakarta, Mitra Kukar and Persipura Jayapura.
For leadership on the pitch, Kolev will look to stalwart Ponaryo, who is likely to anchor a three-man midfield alongside Firman Utima and Mahyadi Panggabean.
With veteran goalkeeper Hendro falling out of favour after his poor performance in the Asean Football Championship, Yandri Christian Pitoy is expected to take over between the posts, playing behind a defence that includes full backs Erol Iba and Supardi, and central defenders Charis Yulianto and Maman Abdurrahman.
Kolev had hoped to partner the in-form Boaz Salossa alongside Bambang Pamungkas up front but the 20-year-old Persipura Jayapura striker suffered a broken ankle during a 3-0 friendly win over Hong Kong in early June, ruling him out of the tournament.
Despite that blow, Kolev remains upbeat. He said: "We are sorry for Boaz. Once again, we have our 23 best players who are ready to give everything they can for Indonesia. That is the important thing."
With Boaz out, prolific Persika striker Bambang will likely team up with Arema Malang forward Elie Aiboy and Budi Sudarsono, who made his mark with goals for Persik Kediri against Sydney FC and Urawa Reds in the AFC Champions League this season.
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