PSIM Yogyakarta Coach Calls Competition In League 2 Like MotoGP. This Is The Reason
YOGYAKARTA - Tight competition between League 2 2024/2025 teams from Group 2. PSIM Yogyakarta coach Seto Nurdiyantoro said competition for the top 8 tickets was like a MotoGP race because the teams overtook each other and took turns to the top of the standings.
PSIM maintains its position at the top of Group 2 Liga 2 after a 5-0 win over Nusantara United at the Mandala Krida Stadium, Yogyakarta, Sunday, December 1, 2024. The victory led PSIM to rise to second place with 21 points.
Meanwhile, Bhayangkara Presisi FC, which is ranked first with 23 points. However, Bhayangkara FC has played 12 matches. PSIM itself still has one match so that it is likely to reclaim the top position.
Only PSIM's target of shifting Bhayangkara FC will not be easy because they face Persijap Jepara in the next match. The big match should have been held in Jepara because Persijap acted as the host.
However, Persijap could not hold a match in Jepara so he had to move the match to Boyolali by hosting PSIM at the Kebogiro Stadium, Saturday, December 7, 2024. The match could change the position of the two teams in the standings. The reason is, Persijap, who is ranked third, has point 20.
Coach Seto said that tight competition made PSIM have to work hard until the second round of the competition ended. According to him, the teams at the top still allow each other to overtake each other in order to fight for positions in the top three.
"The competition in League 2 is like MotoGP. The teams take turns to rank first and second. The position of PSIM itself is not safe before the second round ends," said Seto in Yogyakarta, Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
"Currently, we focus on the focus of the bus supply in the top three. Because only three teams from Group 2 have passed the top 8. It doesn't matter if we end this second round in the first, second or third positions," he said again.
According to Seto, in order to secure the top 8 tickets, he targets PSIM to be able to get 30 points. If that is achieved, the position of PSIM is safe.
"This is still a rough calculation. If you get 30 points, the position of PSIM is safe. But we hope to get higher points. And especially maintaining consistency. This must be done in order to meet that target," he said.
PSIM itself still has five matches with three of them being held at home. They host Persipati Pati, Bhayangkara Presisi FC and Persiku Kudus. Meanwhile, two away matches against Persijap and Persekat Tegal.
The match against Persijap is one of the decisive ones. If they win, Laskar Mataram will win the top position. However, they also take into account the results of the Precision Bhayangkara match against Persekat.
Seto said that the preparation this time focused on tactics, physical, and adaptation to field conditions in Kebogiro. "We are trying tactically to anticipate how Persijap plays. Physical conditions and endurance of players are also a concern," said Seto.
One of the obstacles faced by PSIM is that the field conditions are considered less than ideal. According to him, the field in Boyolal is slightly smaller than ordinary fields.
"There are a few obstacles there because the pitch is a little small. It may be a bit of a hassle. But whatever it is, we are trying to anticipate. I am optimistic that the team can achieve positive results in this away match," said Seto.