To qualify World Cup U-20, U-19 must overcome their mental block

Photo : Yasin Habibi/Republika

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's U-19 National Team squad is expected to meet the target to qualify for the U-20 World Cup title in U-19 Asia Cup in Myanmar.

But to qualify the game, Evan Dimas and his friends should be able to overcome the mental problems, especially those paralyzes that caused mental block for Indonesian players.

Mental coach of U-19 Guntur Cahyo Utomo said, one of the mental obstacles that often approached players are anxious, nervous, and worrisome feeling that they cannot play their best. This could be corrected in the training concentration of U-19 in Malang.

The mental training process, said Guntur, cannot be done in just three months or four months. In addition to training in Malang, quantity of international test match could also be done to remove the mental problem.

Technically, the mental training process will be carried out gradually. Short terms programs will continue to be evaluated every two months to three months. Continuation of the program will be decided based on the development of mental condition of the player. The form, he said, can be a special assistance to each individual player.

"Because of that, the process of training camp lasted for one year. In order to complete preparations and the players will be only focused to think about football, they should not distracted by other things," He toldRepublika on Friday (15/11).

But more importantly, the understanding to see own self potential must also be implanted. "When we are stuck with an opponent's abilities and how to solve it, it made us neglectful to pay attention to our potential and ability," Guntur added.

He said, although U-19 national team will play away in the AFC U-19, but it will not be a problem, especially on mental problem.

"There is no mental burden, but the process of adaptation will take place. Yet, the game will be played by 11 players against 11 and in the same field," he said.

Asked about the target of U-19, Guntur admitted, if the squad could qualify for the FIFA U-20, it would be a pretty proud accomplishment for the national team. However, this kind of achievement has never been achieved by Indonesian national team in any age level.

Ed: Heri Ruslan

http://www.republika.co.id/berita/en/national-politics/13/11/16/mwcjtd-to-qualify-world-cup-u20-u19-must-overcome-their-mental-block

Reporter : Reja Irfa Widodo

Redaktur : Julkifli Marbun

Pre Qualification AFC Cup : INDONESIA vs IRAQ

Foto : timnasgaruda.com

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA -- Timnas senior Indonesia akan kembali berlaga melawan Irak pada lanjutan kualifikasi Piala Asia 2015 di Stadion Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta, Selasa (19/11) malam.

Kemenangan jadi harga mati bagi pasukan Jacksen Ferreira Tiago demi menjaga harga diri Merah Putih. Gelandang timnas Indonesia Muhammad Taufik berjanji akan berjuang mati-matian demi mempersembahkan kemenangan perdana. 

"Kita akan main di kandang. Harus menang demi menjaga harga diri Indonesia," tegas  Taufik dalam sesi konferensi pers di Senayan, Jakarta, Senin (18/11). 

Taufik cukup optimitis Indonesia bisa meraih poin penuh. Apalagi, Taufik sudah memiliki pengalaman bermain melawan Irak pada pertemuan pertama di Dubai, 6 Februari. Indonesia yang saat itu tampil dengan skuat apa adanya lantaran konflik dualisme timnas, mampu menyulitkan Irak. 

Irak hanya sanggup memetik kemenangan tipis 1-0 lewat gol tunggal Younis Mahmoud pada menit ke-66. Kemenangan memang menjadi harga mati apabila Indonesia ingin membuka asa untuk lolos kualifikasi Piala Asia. 

Kekalahan 0-1 di kandang Cina pada Jumat (15/11), menutup peluang Indonesia finis di peringkat dua besar Grup C  sebagai  syarat meraih tiket putaran final. Indonesia yang kini menghuni peringkat empat alias dasar klasemen dengan raihan satu poin, hanya bisa menggantungkan asa lolos kualifikasi dengan menjadi tim peringkat tiga terbaik bersaing dengan sembilan kontestan lainnya yang ada di lima grup. 

Namun untuk menyegel tiket dengan jalur tersisa ini pun cukup berat. Pasalnya Indonesia sudah tertinggal empat poin dari Lebanon yang untuk sementara menjadi tim peringkat tiga terbaik dengan dua pertandingan tersisa.  Artinya, meskipun Indonesia mampu mengalahkan Irak, skuat Garuda dipastikan kandas apabila Lebanon meraih satu kemenangan lagi. 

Taufik  menyadari betul  beratnya peluang Indonesia. Namun ia enggan memusingkan bicara peluang dan lebih memilih fokus  menjalani pertandingan. "Masalah lolos atau tidak itu belakangan, yang penting kita harus menang melawan Irak," ujar dia.

http://www.republika.co.id/berita/sepakbola/liga-indonesia/13/11/18/mwgaty-jamu-irak-timnas-janji-jaga-harga-diri

Reporter : Satria Kartika Yudha

Redaktur : Fernan Rahadi