JAKARTA - PSS players are ready to play totally by releasing 100 percent of their abilities in the Menpora Cup semifinal against Persib Bandung at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Friday, April 16 evening.
PSS Head Coach, Dejan Antonic, during the Menpora Cup pre-match press conference in Sleman, Thursday, said that even though the PSS players were exhausted due to the long 10-hour journey from Bandung to Sleman, this did not reduce their enthusiasm and motivation for the semifinals against Persib Bandung. .
"We just arrived in Yogyakarta from Bandung, taking a 10 hour journey. It feels like we are leaving for Hong Kong. But the children have been training and we are trying to recover because there is no time, only 48 hours before the match," said Dejan.
Dejan and his team arrived in Sleman on the evening of Tuesday, April 13. After feeling well rested, the next day the Serbian coach immediately gathered his players back together for a training session.
"Of course their conditions are up and down, but I see them stay focused for the match because this is the semi-final. And whoever plays and enters the line-up tomorrow will definitely give 100 percent like the previous match," he said.
Not only for Dejan, PSS player Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan also considers the semifinal match to be a special match for him. Moreover, this will be Kim's first experience competing in his new home, the Maguwoharjo Stadium and wearing a PSS uniform.
"This is a special match for me. Yesterday in the group stage we played in Bandung, at my old home. Now we are in Sleman, in my new home and playing against my former team. So this is extraordinary for me, and it improves. my passion and motivation, "said Kim.
Anticipation measures will also be taken by Kim as an asset against his former team, including being aware of Persib's fast forward players.
Kim is optimistic that the Javanese Eagle Super squad will be able to achieve optimal results. Moreover, PSS competed at "home", although there were no spectators, the atmosphere created by the Maguwoharjo Stadium would certainly be an encouraging factor for the players.
"If I play against anyone, it's actually better if we just focus on our game first. Hopefully tomorrow is an interesting match for everyone, with positive results for us," said Kim.
A total of four teams have qualified for the Menpora Cup semifinals, namely PSM Makassar, Persija Jakarta, Persib Bandung, and PSS Sleman.
Furthermore, the four teams will undergo a semifinal match which is scheduled to take place from 15-19 April 2021 in two legs, namely at Maguwoharjo Sleman Stadium and Solo Manahan Stadium.
In the first leg, Persija will meet PSM Makassar on Thursday, while Persib will compete against PSS Sleman on Friday.
The two matches will be held at the home of PSS Sleman, namely Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, Yogyakarta.
In the second leg, PSM Makassar counter Persija on Sunday, April 18, while PSS met Persib again on Monday, April 19 at the Solo Manahan Stadium.
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