Persija Jakarta, affectionately known as the ‘Macan Kemayoran’ (Kemayoran Tigers), has commenced its journey to Ternate, North Maluku, ahead of a crucial away fixture against Malut United. The highly anticipated match is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24th. Notably, the Jakarta-based squad has opted against holding an official training session for this particular encounter, a decision explained by their coaching staff.
Head coach Mauricio Souza clarified that the team’s primary focus is on comprehensive stamina recovery following an arduous and extensive journey from Jakarta. The squad embarked on their flight to Ternate in the early hours of the morning, coinciding with the pre-dawn “sahur” meal time, highlighting the demanding travel schedule faced by the players.
Elaborating on the rationale behind forgoing a training session, Souza stated during a press conference on Monday, February 23rd, “The motive [for not training] is because we want to prioritize giving the players the option to rest. We traveled all night from Jakarta to Ternate. The flight departed Jakarta between 3:10 AM and 3:20 AM, and we only arrived here by 8:00 AM local time.” This grueling timeline necessitated a shift in their usual pre-match routine.
Souza further emphasized the current state of his squad, noting, “While Jordi Amat is here for the press conference, all other players are currently resting and sleeping. Naturally, we would prefer to hold an official training session today. However, we believe that the best course of action for today, the most beneficial ‘training,’ is to allow them to rest in preparation for tomorrow’s match. Our priority is total recovery.” This commitment underscores the coaching staff’s dedication to player well-being and peak performance.
Despite the tight schedule, Coach Mauricio Souza expressed his unwavering confidence in the team’s ability to perform. He acknowledged the limited time available for detailed preparations for this specific match but remained resolute in his desire to secure a positive outcome against Malut United.
“For this match, we don’t have much time for preparation. So, I have conveyed to the players that we have been together for a long time, and we don’t always need extensive preparation time for a match, especially when time is limited. We are already motivated and ready to deliver a strong performance tomorrow,” Souza affirmed. His words reflect the team’s existing cohesion and determination to overcome challenges and achieve their objectives on the field.
Summary
Persija Jakarta has traveled to Ternate, North Maluku,