Medan – PSMS Medan will not be careless after being selected as the host for Group D Liga 2. They will face tough opponents, namely Semen Padang FC and Sriwijaya FC. And especially PSMS should not play badly when playing at home even though the match is held without spectators.
PSMS is one of the hosts in the group stage with the format home tournament. The division of League 2 groups will take place in a virtual meeting held by PSSI, Wednesday, August 19 2020. According to the plan, the second caste competition will be held from 17 October 2020 to 5 December 2020.
Captain Saiful Ramadhan welcomed happily because PSMS was chosen to host Group D. However, PSMS could not be careless because they competed with tough opponents, especially from fellow Sumatran teams.
The point is the players must be focused. Do not wish to qualify for League 1 if you cannot pass the preliminary round to qualify for the top 8
In Group D, Paulo Sitanggang et al not only compete with Semen Padang and Sriwijaya FC but also North Sulawesi United, Persekap Tegal, and the champions of Liga 3 Persijap Jepara. While the match was held at the Teladan Stadium, Medan.
Thus, the Sumatran derby will be presented as when PSMS faced Semen Padang and Sriwijaya FC in the group. Likewise, when Semen Padang met Sriwijaya FC.
“First, we are grateful for being chosen as the host. Only, we face opponents who can be considered strong teams, such as Semen Padang and Sriwijaya FC. However, PSMS is ready to face it,” said Saiful in Medan, Wednesday, August 19, 2020. .
According to him, the teams belonging to group D have equal or equal strength. However, the Kinantan have the advantage of playing in their own cage, which must be maximized properly. Saiful also reminded PSMS not to play badly at the Teladan Stadium.
“We are not allowed to play badly, let alone get bad results when playing at the Teladan Stadium. Even though the match took place without spectators, the prayers and support of the people of North Sumatra, especially Medan, will help us,” said Saiful.
The League 2 competition was rolled back after being stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike League 1 which is centered in Java, Liga 2 which uses the system home tournament the group stage can be held in cities outside Java Island.
The preliminary round is divided into 4 groups. Apart from PSMS, the hosting teams are PSCS Cilacap, Badak Lampung, and PSPS Pekanbaru. Of the 4 hosts, 3 of them were Sumatran clubs. Only PSCS originated from Cilacap.
PSMS Has Experience Playing in League 1
According to the General Secretary, Julius Raja, PSMS really wanted to be the host, which was then followed up with a submission. PSMS is considered to have experience playing in League 1.
“PSMS has experience playing in Liga 1. The Teladan Stadium deserves to host it. By targeting PSMS to be promoted back to League 1, this is certainly our first step,” said Julius.
However, PSMS cannot be careless because they compete with tough opponents, especially from fellow Sumatran teams. This is what makes them not have to wish for promotion to League 1 because they have to go through the preliminary rounds first.
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“We all have to fight so that PSMS can qualify for the top 8. The point is the players have to focus. Don’t think that you can qualify for League 1 if you pass the preliminary round to qualify for the top 8,” said Julius.
“You could say this is also beneficial for PSMS. If you qualify, the opponents you will face will be easier. Moreover, we are the host. So we have to play all out,” said the man who is familiarly called King. []
