Defeated by Sriwijaya, PSM`s Focus Not on 2018 President Cup

TEMPO.CO, Bandung - PSM Makassar Coach Assistant Imran Amarullah said the cause of his foster children was defeat 0-3 by Sriwijaya FC in an advanced elimination round to the Group A President’s Cup 2018, due to the stamina decline and mental of playing of his foster children in the match.

PSM has suffered two defeats, from PSMS Medan and Sriwijaya. Thus, their last match against the host of Group A, Persib Bandung, on January 26 will not help PSM to qualify from the group stage.

"The first round, we have the tried maximally, but in the second half we were overwhelmed because of the players’ stamina and mental factors," said Imran after the match at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (Bandung Lautan Api Stadium), on Sunday, January 21.

Imran said that Juku Eja indeed comes with the second-tier players in the match. Most PSM players who brought by Imran to Bandung are the average U-19 players. "As you know that the players who are playing today are the second team because the first team also will be playing tonight in Makassar," he said.

“The defeat (happened) maybe because of our physical factor and readiness. The mental of the players are still not ready because they are (still) young players, they were not ready for the big match, "he said.

"The 2018 President’s Cup schedule showed up suddenly, and the risk (was our defeat) because Coach Robert did not programmed their training for the President's Cup and (because) also his planning is for the Super Cup," he said.

AMINUDDIN