Bali Training Camp Seen as More Sensible Than Risky Middle East Friendly
Baca dalam 60 detik
- PSSI membatalkan uji coba melawan Yordania di Amman karena alasan keamanan, lalu mengalihkan agenda ke pemusatan latihan di Bali pada 9–17 November.
- Pengamat menilai langkah itu tepat: keselamatan pemain lebih utama, sementara poin FIFA masih bisa dikejar pada jendela berikutnya.
- John Herdman diharapkan memanfaatkan TC untuk membangun chemistry, memantapkan taktik, dan memanggil pemain cedera seperti Mees Hilgers serta Miliano Jonathan.
PSSI's decision to cancel the Indonesian national team's friendly against Jordan in Amman and replace it with a training camp in Bali on 9–17 November has drawn a positive assessment. Football observer Raja Isa Akram Shah sees the move as a wise choice amid a Middle East security situation that is not yet conducive, rather than forcing a match that risks disrupting the players' psychological condition.
"If forced, the players' psyche would be uncomfortable. This would certainly affect the Indonesian national team's performance," Raja Isa said, as quoted by Bola.com. According to him, player safety must be the top priority, while additional points for the FIFA ranking can still be pursued in the next match window.
The decision does create a trade-off. On one hand, the Indonesian national team loses the chance to test its ability against an international opponent while collecting ranking points. On the other, the training camp in Bali gives John Herdman room to build a more solid team foundation, especially since he is still relatively new to handling the Garuda squad.
Raja Isa highlighted the importance of chemistry among the players, especially those from the domestic competition. He observed that there are still players from BRI Super League clubs who have not fully blended with their teammates and do not yet understand Herdman's style of play. "Football is not just about kicking the ball; personal relationships between players are also very important," he said.
In the upcoming camp, Herdman is expected to call up many players to see their quality firsthand. As a new coach, he needs to recognize the potential of other players, especially from the domestic competition, to enrich the Indonesian national team's options. Raja Isa also suggested that Herdman call up players recovering from injury, such as Mees Hilgers and Miliano Jonathan, to monitor their condition and boost their motivation.
"In the current situation, I think player safety comes above all else. Points can still be sought at the next FIFA Matchday," Raja Isa said.
Even without a friendly match, Herdman can still hold internal games as a means of evaluating tactics and player fitness. The training camp in Bali is also seen as more strategic in terms of logistics and acclimatization, given that most players compete in Indonesia. That way, the available time can be maximized to strengthen team cohesion rather than merely chasing results on the pitch.
Going forward, this decision will be a test for Herdman: can the Bali camp produce a measurable improvement in performance when the Indonesian national team returns to official competition? The public is certainly waiting for proof that prioritizing safety and long-term development does not sacrifice the ambition of earning FIFA ranking points.
