SEA GAMES 2011: INDONESIA CONSIDER ROTATING PLAYERS

JAKARTA (14 Nov 2011) – Indonesia are enjoying a three day-break ahead of their cruncher against Malaysia on Thursday. To ensure they top the group, Indonesia only require a draw, Malaysia on the other hand must win to take over as leaders.

What concerns Indonesian coach Rahmad Darmawan is that while they have a good break now, the team will only a day’s rest between the last group match and the semifinals. Should Indonesia go flat out to defeat Malaysia, they may risk injury to some key players and may have to field a weakened side in the semifinals a day later.

Some players could take time to recover and may not be at their best for the semifinals. Malaysia, who need a draw to ensure they qualify, are also in the same boat.

“Our aim is to finish top in the group. But between Malaysia and the semifinals there will be only one day of rest,” Indonesia coach Rahmad Darmawan told the Jakarta Globe. “I may have to rotate the players in the next match.”

Although finishing as group champions is crucial, especially to the host team’s morale and confidence, winning the semifinals has to be a priority. Indonesia’s target are to win the gold medal and Rahmad will have several days to decide how he is going to approach both matches.

Whatever it is, Rahmad will need to decide whether he wants to defeat Malaysia at all cost or focus on the all-important semifinals to ensure they achieve their target of bagging the gold medal for the first time since the 1991 Manila Games.

Indonesia will once again be counting on their star strikers. Titus Bonai and Patrich Wanggai, who scored a goal each against Thailand yesterday. Patrich has been on form amassing a total of four goals out of the 13 Indonesia have netted thus far.

SEA GAMES FIXTURES
GROUP A

CURRENT STANDINGS