PSMS v Johor FC Yang Penting Bisa Menang

PSMS Medan kembali merumput di ajang AFC Cup. Kali ini Ayam Kinantan -julukan PSMS- bakal bertindak sebagai tuan rumah. PSMS akan menjamu wakil Malaysia Johor FC di Gelora Sriwijaya, Palembang, malam ini (tayangan langsung TPI pukul 18.30 WIB).

Kemenangan menjadi harga mati yang dipatok PSMS. "Hanya kemenangan yang bisa membuat peluang ke babak berikutnya tetap terjaga. Jadi, berapa pun skornya, yang penting kami harus menang," tegas Liestiadi, pelatih PSMS, kepada Jawa Pos kemarin (16/3).

Cuma kemenangan memang yang bisa menjaga peluang PSMS maju ke fase berikutnya. Sebab, pada laga perdana pekan lalu, mereka takluk 0-3 dari South China (Hongkong). Kekalahan itu membuat Ellie Aiboy dkk menempati posisi juru kunci klasemen sementara grup F.

Kans PSMS untuk memenangi pertandingan malam ini cukup terbuka. Selain PSMS tampil di negeri sendiri, kekuatan Johor FC juga tidak terlalu menakutkan. Buktinya, di laga perdana, mereka hanya mampu bermain 0-0 melawan VB Sport (Maladewa) di Malaysia. Johor juga tidak diperkuat pemain asing.

Di sisi lain, PSMS justru bisa memaksimalkan amunisi asingnya. Kans PSMS semakin besar lantaran hampir seluruh pilarnya dalam kondisi fit.

Group F preview: Liestiadi looks for AFC Cup lift

PSMS Medan coach Liestiadi Lo is confident his side can bounce back from their opening AFC Cup game defeat last week with a victory against Malaysian side Johor FC at Jaka Baring Stadium on Tuesday.

The Indonesians opened their Group F campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at South China of Hong Kong.

Their fortunes in the Indonesian Super League have also been disappointing with Medan languishing at the bottom of the table.

But Liestiadi is not looking at past form and believes his side are capable of securing a result against Johor.

“It is the first time we have participated in a continental competition but we are confident that we can measure up to any opponents,” he said.

“The match against South China in Hong Kong was our toughest match in this group and we have now put it behind us for better results ahead.”

Liestiadi’s concerns, however, have been worsened by a number of injuries to his squad with Markus Horison, Asi Akbar and Andhika Yudistira all injured.

Meanwhile, Johor coach Ramlan Rashid insists his side will take a cautious approach to the game as he fears a possible backlash from Medan as a result of their opening game defeat.

The Malaysian side battled for a goalless draw at home to VB of the Maldives last week and Ramlan believes another point in Indonesia will be a good result.

“They (Medan) will definitely be out to make up for a disappointing start,” he said.

“If we get a draw, I will consider getting an away point a good result. A win will be a bonus and a further boost to the confidence of the team.”

In the other game in the group, South China will be keen to maintain their impressive start with another win at VB.

After a disappointing AFC Cup campaign last year in which they managed just a solitary win, the Hong Kong side were impressive in their opening game this year against Medan.

But coach Kim Pan-gon believes the game in the Maldives will prove a different challenge for his players.

“Their environment is different to Hong Kong so we need to keep the players well rested,” he said.

“We will watch a video of our last game and decide tactically the best way to prepare for this game.”

VB club manager Ibrahim Rasheed has called for his players to improve their form in the final third after wasting numerous opportunities against Johor last week.

“We had around 10 opportunities to score a goal and Dhagey (Ali Ashfaag) was brought down twice inside their penalty area," he said.

PSMS optimis jamu Johor FC

PALEMBANG - Pelatih PSMS Medan, Liestiadi, mengatakan timnya optimis meraih kemenangan saat menjamu Johor FC pada babak penyisihan Grup F AFC Cup di Stadion Jakabaring, Palembang, Selasa.

"Walaupun jadwal pertandingan yang diikuti kesebelasan ini sangat padat, tetapi kami bertekad meraih poin di laga melawan Johor FC," katanya di Palembang, Senin.

Menurut Liestiadi, anak-anak Ayam Kinantan tersebut kini dalam kondisi baik. "Apalagi pada laga AFC kedua ini, mereka bertanding sebagai tuan rumah sehingga target tersebut diharapkan terpenuhi," tambahnya.

Dikatakan pada pertandingan nanti, pihaknya akan menurunkan pemain inti plus tiga pemain asing. Selain itu, kapten Elie Aiboy diharapkan bisa bermain optimal agar mampu membawa PSMS meraih angka.

"Mau di mana saja, kita siap. Palembang kan tetap Indonesia, kita pasti memiliki pendukung," sambung Liestidi tersenyum.

Menghadapi Johor FC, PSMS akan langsung menyerang dengan segarnya kembali Leonardo Martins Zada dan Mario Costas. Elie pun merasa optimis dengan kemenangan.

"Sebagai pemain yang sudah merasakan atmosfer sepakbola di Malaysia, saya optimis. Tidak ada yang perlu ditakuti, peluang sama. Yang penting di lapangan," kata Elie singkat.

Di kubu tim tamu, pelatih Ramlan Rasyid mengatakan, sudah mempelajari permainan PSMS yang tidak jauh berbeda dari segi teknis dan gaya tim asuhannya. "Jika diberi kesempatan menyerang, mereka akan mengoptimalkan dan bertahan ketika tertekan," tegasnya.

Tetapi dia mengakui, kalau permainan PSMS Medan lebih berbobot dibanding apalagi dengan hadirnya Elie Aiboy yang pernah merumput di Johor. Secara realistis dan obyektif, Ramlan mengakui keunggulan PSMS.

"Kita datang kemari tidak mau kalah. Soal kualitas, tidak jauh berbeda. Iklim sepakbola di Indonesia dan Malaysia juga sama. Begitu juga dengan kondisi alamnya, kita juga lagi musim hujan," sambungnya tersenyum.