Iqbal Gwijangge Always Feels Right In The Dead Ball Situation

Iqbal Gwijangge scored a goal when Indonesia U-19 defeated Cambodia U-19 (Instagram/@timas.indonesia).

JAKARTA - Iqbal Gwijangge again contributed a goal when Indonesia U-19 defeated Cambodia U-19 in the second match of Group A of the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, Saturday, July 20, 2024.

The defender's goal was closing Garuda Muda's victory with a score of 2-0. Iqbal managed to convert Muhammad Kafiatur's corner.

After the match, Iqbal admitted that in him there were encouraging feelings to help attack when the ball situation died.

It turns out, Iqbal feels right. He always scores goals in a set-up ball scheme. However, the 17-year-old still doesn't forget his job of dealing with the opponent's attacks. "Emang sometimes there are feelings before the match, but for sure I just do my job. The most important thing is not to concede," Iqbal said as reported by Antara. "The most important thing is that I can still contribute to the team. Hopefully in the next match it can be even better than today," said Iqbal.

Iqbal Gwijangge is now the top scorer in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup with three goals. The collection is the same as that of Malaysia U-19 player Abid Safaraz.

As a defender, being the team's top score is clearly an extraordinary achievement. Interestingly, the three goals were always scored through a set piece situation.

The previous two goals were scored against the U-19 Philippines. The brace started from being thrown into Mufli Hidayat and Toni Firmansyah's corner.

Apart from feeling, Iqbal revealed that the dead ball scheme is always trained, both from inside throws, free kicks, and corner kicks.

However, it is about the placement of that position where Iqbal feels really needed. "We have set piece training with the coach as well. So, it has been prepared and this is part of the coach's strategy as well," he said.

Apart from contributing goals through set pieces, Iqbal Gwijangge apparently has a special target in guarding the U-19 Indonesia defense.

Together with Kadek Arel and Alfharzzi Buffon, he wanted to set a clean-sheet record throughout his journey in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup and bring in a winning team.

Most importantly, the defender is implementing whatever coach Indra Sjafri's instructions are. He believes the game system given by the coach is the best for the team.

"The most important thing is that we stay focused behind. I hope we can continue to clean-sheet until we become champions," said Iqbal.

"In my opinion, I (the system) of three or four (bek) have no problems. The most important thing is that we can defend and attack together," he said. "Just play and be adjusted to what can be done according to your duties, God willing, I think the results will follow," said Iqbal again.

Iqbal Gwijangge and his friends now still have one remaining match in Group A of the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup. Indonesia U-19 will face Timor Leste U-19 on July 23, 2024.