By Pramuaji Ajay – @PramuajiAjay
After about 4 months of hiatus, the atmosphere of Indonesian football reemerged with the initiation of President Cup 2015. Organized by Mahaka Sports, the tournament engaged 16 teams: 12 from the previous 2015 Indonesia Super League (ISL) and 4 from the lower Premier Division. From August 30 to October 18, football fans across the archipelago replenished their long wait for quality competition at national level.
In the final match at the majestic Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Persib went on against Sriwijaya FC. The 2014 ISL winners showed their champions’ DNA and won 2-0 against the Palembang-based team. 2 major titles in a year was quite an achievement for Maung Bandung and a very special gift for their loyal fans: the Bobotoh.
The tournament itself showcased a dramatic twists and unpredictable turns: Entertaining football displayed by Bali United with 100% local squad; disappointing performance from Persija, the team from the nation’s capital; the fall of Arema with a payback scenario from Sriwijaya in the semifinal; Persebaya changed their name and boycotted a match over a debatable decision, and many other moments.
312 players had the opportunity to spend several minutes playing in the tournament. Based on their performance, both statistically and seen by-naked-eye, here are Labbola’s Best XI from the 2015 President Cup.
GK – I Made Wirawan (Persib)
He didn’t make many memorable saves and his team suffered 2 losses on the way to their triumph. Nonetheless, the experienced Balinese showed great composure and leadership which triggered a stronghold on Persib’s defensive line.
Appearances 7 Save Success % 68%
Minutes Played 630 Pass Interceptions 13
Conceded 6 Clearances 2
Clean Sheets 3
Saves 13
RB – Wildansyah (Sriwijaya FC)
Very active and eager to be involved in every play. Offensively effective as he scored 2 goals and made every shooting attempts on target. Showed proficient read-the-game skill with 17 pass interceptions and only 3 ball possessions lost.
Appearances 7 Successful Tackles 9 Fouls Committed 8
Minutes Played 586 Tackle Success % 53% Yellow Cards 1
Goals 2 Cross Blocks 2 Red Cards 0
Shots On Target 4 Pass Interceptions 17
Shot Accuracy 100% Clearances 13
CB – Vladimir Vujovic (Persib)
Towering presence on Persib’s defense with poise and good timing. With him playing, Persib only conceded 2 goals in their home, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium. Still needs to be calmer as he received 3 consecutive yellow cards before the final.
Appearances 7 Successful Tackles 4 Fouls Committed 5
Playing Minutes 630 Tackle Success Rate 29% Yellow Cards 3
Goals 1 Shot Blocks 4 Red Cards 0
Header Success Rate 82% Pass Interceptions 27
CB – Purwaka Yudhi (Arema)
Played every minutes for Arema throuhgout the tournament along with Gonzales, he filled the absence of Victor Igbonefo with quality performance. His collection of 32 pass interceptions set tournament’s record. He also has clean disciplinary record with only 1 foul in 8 matches. Labbola appointed him as Best Defensive Player.
Appearances | 8 | Successful Tackles | 11 | Fouls Committed | 1 |
Playing Minutes | 720 | Tackle Success Rate | 65% | Yellow Cards | 0 |
Assists | 2 | Shot Blocks | 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
Header Success Rate | 96% | Pass Interceptions | 32 |
LB – Johan Ahmad Alfarizi (Arema)
Played in all matches for Arema with 1 goal and 2 assists. Actively supported Arema’s attack and very good while defending. His 22 successful tackles and 5 shot blocks are tournament’s record.
Appearances 8 Successful Tackles 22 Fouls Committed 3
Minutes Played 705 Tackle Success % 73% Yellow Cards 1
Goals 1 Cross Blocks 5 Red Cards 0
Assists 2 Pass Interceptions 16
Pass Accuracy 74% Clearances 16
DMF – Asri Akbar (Sriwijaya FC)
Very responsible and showed an active role as box-to-box midfielder. Didn’t possess many attributes but his mobility and leadership have brought Sriwijaya FC to the final. If only he had no injury problem, Asri would’ve influenced SFC with more speed and power.
Appearances 6 Successful Passes 183 Fouls Committed 1
Playing Minutes 378 Pass Accuracy 88% Yellow Cards 0
Goals 1 Successful Tackles 6 Red Cards 0
Shots On Target 5 Tackle Success Rate 33%
Shot Accuracy 100% Pass Interceptions 4
CMF – Fadhil Sausu (Bali United)
His name was unheard until Indra Sjafri rejuvenated him with new role at Bali United. Very mobile with pass-and-move scheme tailored by Sjafri. Although Bali United’s journey fell short to only 5 matches, his 416 successful passes became tournament’s record. Moreover, he made 3 assists and 1 goal in his 5 appearances.
Appearances 5 Successful Passes 416 Fouls Committed 2
Playing Minutes 450 Pass Accuracy 90% Yellow Cards 0
Goals 1 Successful Tackles 14 Red Cards 0
Assists 3 Tackle Success Rate 67%
Shots On Target 3 Pass Interceptions 22
CMF – Firman Utina (Persib)
Old but gold. He still possesses skillful techniques as ball distributor. Made good combination with his fellow midfielders in Persib: Hariono and Makan Konate. Provided 3 assists and played a central role on Persib’s triumph.
Appearances 8 Successful Passes 223 Fouls Committed 7
Playing Minutes 540 Pass Accuracy 65% Yellow Cards 1
Goals 0 Successful Tackles 7 Red Cards 0
Assists 3 Tackle Success Rate 32%
Successful Crosses 21 Pass Interceptions 5
FW – Boaz Solossa (Pusamania Borneo FC)
For the first time in his career, Boaz played for a team neither Persipura nor the Indonesian national team. Only appeared in 4 matches, he scored 2 goals and made 3 assists. As skillful as he is, the outcome would’ve been different for Boci if Persipura participated in the tournament.
Appearances 4 Shot Conversion Rate 0.167 Fouls Committed 2
Playing Minutes 360 Pass Accuracy 74% Yellow Cards 0
Goals 2 Successful Dribbles 4 Red Cards 0
Assists 3 Dribble Success Rate 50%
Shots On Target 4 Cross Accuracy 40%
FW – Zulham Zamrun (Persib)
Tournament’s Best Player and Top Scorer with 6 goals, along with 2 assists, 87% shot accuracy and, of course, the championship. ‘Nuff said.
Appearances 7 Shot Conversion Rate 0.4 Fouls Committed 13
Playing Minutes 584 Shot Accuracy 87% Yellow Cards 3
Goals 6 Successful Dribbles 7 Red Cards 0
Assists 2 Dribble Success % 58%
Shots On Target 13 Pass Accuracy 75%
CF – Ilija Spasojevic (Persib)
Has power and tenacity to lure defenders’ focus. Thus, his teammate could easily exploit the space and penetrate. Zulham’s performance was highly supported by Spaso’s. 4 goals, 1 assist, and only caught offside twice made Spaso a perfect target man for Persib.
Appearances 6 Shot Conversion Rate 0.28 Fouls Committed 12
Playing Minutes 461 Shot Accuracy 36% Yellow Cards 3
Goals 4 Successful Passes 84 Red Cards 1
Assists 1 Pass Accuracy 83%
Shots On Target 8
Aside from the Best XI, here are players with promising performance but slightly fell short on several attributes.
GK – Dian Agus Prasetya (Sriwijaya FC)
Showed his quality as Indonesia’s top goalkeeper. Made several decisive saves for Sriwijaya FC with 75% success rate. Still needs to improve his communication with the defenders.
Appearances 7 Save Success % 75%
Minutes Played 630 Pass Interceptions 14
Conceded 8 Clearances 5
Clean Sheets 2
Saves 21
FB – Ricky Fajrin (Bali United)
Another one of Indra Sjafri’s squad from the Indonesia U-19 team with thumbs-up performance. Add more experience and playing minutes, Ricky would be a star player in his role and position.
Appearances 5 Successful Tackles 18 Fouls Committed 3
Minutes Played 435 Tackle Success % 72% Yellow Cards 0
Successful Passes 158 Cross Blocks 4 Red Cards 0
Pass Accuracy 87% Pass Interceptions 13
CB – John Onorionde Kughegbe (Mitra Kukar)
Safety-oriented and effective defender, O. K. John lead Mitra Kukar’s defense and came up with 3 clean sheets.
Appearances 8 Header Success % 82% Fouls Committed 12
Playing Minutes 720 Shot Blocks 5 Yellow Cards 0
Successful Tackles 13 Pass Interceptions 31 Red Cards 0
Tackle Success % 80% Clearances 45
MF – Rizky Pellu (Mitra Kukar)
A powerful and durable midfielder. Pellu still has much to learn but he has shown his progress to be the future leader in Indonesian national team’s midfield.
Appearances 8 Successful Passes 281 Fouls Committed 8
Playing Minutes 720 Pass Accuracy 89% Yellow Cards 1
Goals 1 Successful Tackles 19 Red Cards 0
Shots On Target 3 Tackle Success Rate 67%
Header Success % 77% Pass Interceptions 10
MF – Hendro Siswanto (Arema)
Hendro was plotted as Arema’s spare tire but every time he got the chance, he made the best of it. He scored 2 goals which have special meaning: 1 equalizer against Bali United, and another one was an absolute cracker against Mitra Kukar that could be The Goal of the Tournament.
Appearances 7 Successful Tackles 6 Fouls Committed 8
Playing Minutes 249 Tackle Success % 24% Yellow Cards 1
Goals 2 Pass Interceptions 5 Red Cards 0
Successful Passes 109 Clearances 3
Pass Accuracy 76% Possessions Lost 7
FW – Cristian Gonzales (Arema)
39 years young, Gonzales still has what it takes to be the fox-in-the-box. He played the whole 720 minutes in 8 matches and scored 5 goals. However, his age could not deceive his agility, as he caught offside 15 times (tournament’s record).
Appearances 8 Shot Conversion Rate 0.19 Fouls Committed 10
Playing Minutes 720 Successful Passes 135 Yellow Cards 2
Goals 5 Pass Accuracy 77% Red Cards 0
Shots On Target 14 Possessions Lost 30
Shot Accuracy 67% Caught Offside 15
Djadjang Nurdjaman as manager completes the list. With 2 major trophies in just a year, he deserves the spot.
There you have it, Labbola’s Best XI + 6 from the 2015 President Cup.