RI's ISG Team an Embryo of SEA Hames 2013 Squad

Palembang, S Sumatra, Sept 18 (Antara) - The Indonesian football team playing at the third Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) is only an embryo compared to the Indonesian squad playing at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar this year, a coach said. "This ISG is one of my yardsticks for selecting players to join the Indonesian squad at the SEA Games 2013 in Myanmar in December," Rahmad Darmawan, coach of the under-23 national team, remarked ahead of a U-23 match against Morocco on Wednesday. The U-23 national team's primary objective is to achieve the best results possible at the SEA Games, he stated, adding that he had not set a target for the ISG. However, he has asked his team to play their best game to gain a victory. "Of course, we must maintain the dignity and esteem of the nation," he added. The former coach of Sriwijaya FC had successfully taken Indonesia's soccer team all the way to the final round of the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011. However, the host team lost 3-4 to Malaysia after a penalty shootout. "Of course, our target has to be even higher now," he said. Kurnia Meiga, captain of the U-23 national team, pointed out that the team had failed to make all possible preparations for the ISG since several of the players had to play for their individual clubs. "It was difficult to make all possible preparations for ISG since we had gathered in Palembang only three days ahead of the match," he added. (*)