SINGAPORE (3 June 2015) – The disappointment was obvious and Aji Santoso could not hide the fact that the problems off the pitch that are affecting Indonesian football currently, had a hand in the team’s 4-2 loss to Myanmar at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Speaking at the post match press conference Aji said that while it was never his intention to use the issue of the FA of Indonesia (PSSI) being banned by FIFA as a reason for the defeat, he nevertheless felt that the players were affected by the problem.
“We have been trying to keep the morale of the players high where we even offered them bonuses if they can do win the game,” said Aji. “But the boys are only human. Of course, at the back of the mind they would be thinking of their future.
“Where will I go after the SEA Games? Without football, what will I do? These are just some of the questions which the players would ask naturally. And I don’t blame them. If I was the player, I would be feeling the same thing.”
Indonesia – losing finalists two years ago – made several individual mistakes in their encounter against Myanmar which resulted in them conceding a 4-2 loss.
And with just three more matches to play for, against hosts Singapore, Cambodia and then the Philippines, the Indonesians must make sure that they minimize mistakes and at least end the SEA Games campaign on a high.
“When the Indonesian national anthem was played, several of the players cried, and so did I,” added Aji. “I realized that this will be the last time we will play an international match until the ban by FIFA is lifted. How long that will be is anybody’s guess. Two years, three years or four years?
“The situation in Indonesian football is not good. But I hope that the players will pick up from this loss and do better in the next match.”
FIXTURES – 3 June 2015
Both Matches at 2030
Bishan Stadium – Timor Leste vs Brunei
Jalan Besar Stadium – Cambodia vs Philippines
