Football: King of Penalty Area
Ch.81 - United Arab Emirates (2)

In the dressing room, Frans and the Indonesian coaching staff were discussing tactics in the second half.

“You did a good game in the first half.” Frans looked at his players with satisfaction.

Although the first half possession statistics were only 38% which showed the entire team was depressed, but the number of shots on goal from the United Arab Emirates was only 6 times with 0 shots on target. It shows that his team defended well.

As an international team, Frans is aware that taking Indonesia to the next level requires strong defense and good tactical discipline. Indonesia is not a strong team that has the luxury of playing as beautifully as Brazil or Spain. What Indonesia needs to continue to get better is a tactical introduction that matches the characteristics of existing players.

Frans chose the same approach that Michels did in the Netherlands. Before the Michel and Cruyff era, the Netherlands was just a second-class European team that could not even say much in the European Cup and was only able to become a voice team in the international arena.

The Football totals they put forward made a huge change in the tactical system of football that exists. Proper positioning and clear tasks for each position make football more organized and pleasing to the eye.

Clear player positioning also increases the accuracy and speed of passing from one player to another. This perfects your run pass system that Vic Buckingham has created which is none other than the person who teaches the tactical system of football to Michels.

Frans applied some tactical systems in Total Football to his tactics, but he also discarded some things that did not fit the characteristics of Indonesian players. The Indonesian players have good pace, but their technical ability is far below the European players.

So Frans included zoning presses and strong positional struggles to make opponents uncomfortable in organizing attacks. Then when he managed to seize and control the ball, he immediately directed his players to transfer the ball forward with a precise and fast pass. Bring the ball forward with a run and pass then send the ball to their strongest terminator on the front court.

In the first half, Frans was excited by Raynaldi's ability to convert chances into goals. He may not have a world-class player who can manage attacks and control possession perfectly. But he has a goal machine that doesn't need a lot of balls, as long as he gets the ball, Raynaldi has the chance to score.

“We do not need to change formation in the second half, the game will run according to the settings in the first half. But, I want you guys to be more sure in attack and strong in defense. If you are not sure to launch an attack, just throw the ball forward to make clearances. We might not be able to play well! But at least we'll win!” Frans did not make much of a change other than asking his players to be more organised in defence.

. . . . .

Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The second half of the match between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates again began with a kick-off from Indonesia.

Raynaldi who got the kick-off ball from Aji directly passed the ball to Firman Huda who was behind. At the same time, Rangga, Aji, and Raynaldi ran towards the United Arab Emirates goal.

Firman Huda dribbles forward slowly while paying attention to the position of other players. The United Arab Emirates striker Zayn tried to press and snatch the ball, but Firman sent the ball to Arnova on the left and ran forward to attack.

Arnova, who was blocked by the United Arab Emirates midfielder, sent the ball to Rangga who approached the left side. Rangga easily passed the midfielder guarding him and broke into the empty space in front of the United Arab Emirates centre-back.

The United Arab Emirates centre-back did not advance to mastermind Rangga this time around, they still remember how the second goal came about. But unfortunately their expectations are different to reality, because Rangga firmly took a long shot this time.

The ball is shot to the left side of the goal!

Indonesia gets a corner.

Firman Huda took a corner this time, he sent the ball hull into the penalty box.

Raynaldi who was on the left side of the United Arab Emirates goal jumped as if he was going to head the ball. His actions directly caught the attention of the United Arab Emirates centre-back and goalkeeper.

The United Arab Emirates centre-back jumped and intended to prevent Raynaldi from getting the ball. However, this time Raynaldi's action was just a trick. He could see Aji was already preparing on where the ball landed, what he was doing just to attract the attention of the opponent's defensive line.

The ball soared and fell on the right side of the goal, Aji who was preparing to kick the ball easily into the United Arab Emirates goal. Turn the score back to 3-0.

“GOOOAL!!! What an interesting goal! When Firman kicked a corner, Raynaldi came forward and jumped as if he wanted to score. However, he instead stopped jumping when the ball came and tricked the entire opposing defender! An unguarded Aji easily scored the third goal for Indonesia!” Hadi Gunawan shouted excitedly in the live broadcast room.

The United Arab Emirates again set up the attack, although it has lagged 3 goals. As hosts they could not accept such an embarrassing result. So the only option left was to attack with all his might.

Indonesia is again depressed in half their defense. For more than 15 minutes the successive attacks of the United Arab Emirates were still fruitless. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates' ball possession statistics have reached 74% which is much higher than 26% of Indonesia's.

The match continues to be seen running unilaterally with the United Arab Emirates in an attacking position and Indonesia in a defensive position.

Five minutes later, in the 61st minute. Zayn made a hard shot from outside the box.

Radgar jumped and pulled the ball over the crossbar. The United Arab Emirates gets a corner.

United Arab Emirates midfielder Hassan took a corner. The ball flew straight into the penalty box. This time Zayn didn't waste any chances, he jumped and gore the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Radgar tried to pull off the ball but one step too late!

The ball easily darted into the Indonesian goal. The United Arab Emirates pulled one goal back. The provisional score changed again 3-1.

“It looks like we still have to add training for corner soccer defense and free kicks. They are still less assertive and hesitant when taking the ball in this position. If Mario or Marco can jump at the right time, this ball will not enter.” Frans felt this goal aside from the ability of a good opponent also showed the lack of players.

“Maybe this is also due to lack of coordination and they both have not been fully integrated in the team.” Kurniawan who has finished warming up also commented.

“Yes, that could also be another factor. Bang Kurniawan, once the ball comes out next I will start changing players. You can come in to replace Raynaldi.” Said Frans.