Beware Of The Posture Of Palestine U-17 Players, Bima Sakti: Behind We Must Be More Rapid

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian U-17 national team, Bima Sakti, said his squad was aware of the advantages of the Palestinian posture when the two teams met in the continued match of Group B of the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification at Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong, Bogor, Friday tomorrow.

"Palestina tim bagus. Postur pemain mereka tinggi-tinggi," kata Bima di Stadion Pakansari, Rabu malam, dikutip Antara.

For this reason, the 46-year-old tactician asked his team to concentrate fully throughout the match. They should not underestimate Palestine, which has always lost in Group B.

Bima does not want his team to make mistakes, especially in the defense area. This can be dangerous because Palestine could take advantage of chances from set pieces.

"Our backline coordination must be neater," said the coach who brought Indonesia to the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup champions.

Bima Sakti also reminded his squad that the last two matches in Group B, namely against Palestine, Friday tomorrow, and Malaysia, Sunday (October 9), will be tough.

Those matches, said Bima, are finals that must be won in order to qualify for the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup.

"Our ideals cannot depend on the opposing team. So we have to maximize all opportunities," said the 1990s Indonesian national team player.

Indonesia is currently at the top of Group B standings for the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification with a collection of six points from two matches.

The squad nicknamed Garuda Asia won "head to head" and goal difference from the UAE, which is also six but out of three matches, in second place.

The third place in Group B is occupied by Malaysia with four points from two matches, while Guam and Palestine occupy fourth and fifth positions.