goodmorningpapua.com – Monday, November 7, 2022, the Papua Football Academy (PFA), a football academy sponsored by PT Freeport Indonesia has returned from Bali. During 10 days on the Island of the Gods, the players underwent 4 test matches against local teams.
Since starting the activity on August 1, 2022 and inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on August 31, 2022, 30 Papuan children have practiced soccer under the guidance of the Academy Director, Wolfgang Pikal. All activities, whether it’s soccer practice or formal learning, are carried out at Mimika Sport Complex, Timika.
Friday, October 28, 2022, the Papua Football Academy group consisting of players, coaches and management staff departed from Timika for Bali. All participants stayed at a hotel in the Jimbaran area, Bali, which was close to the soccer practice field.
“The PFA decided to go to Bali because of the need to seek experience and match practice opponents who we consider to be of better quality than the SSB team in Timika,” said Wolfgang Pikal, former assistant coach of the Indonesian national team.
In the same place after the match vs Yoga Perkanthi, the match continued between Papua Football Academy versus Bintang Bali FC. This time, the score ended 0-0.
In the PFA’s third trial match in Bali, the match moved to the Abianbase Field, Badung Regency, Bali, on November 3, 2022. Against Pespa Padangsambian which was accompanied by rain and part of the field was flooded, PFA had to accept a 0-1 defeat.
The last test was against Bali United U 14. At Yoga Perkanthi Field, Sunday (6/11), the PFA players learned many lessons when they had to lose 0-3.
From the 4 trial matches, Wolfgang Pikal admitted that the coaches saw a lot of things that were obtained from the performances of the PFA players. In addition to the team organization that still needs to be improved, the mentality of competing is in the spotlight.
“Before joining the PFA, not many players had entered the competition while still in their area. We saw the effect was very big when we tried it out in Bali. Mental factors affect their performance technically and tactically in the game,” said Wolfang.
He hopes that in the future the PFA players will perform better when they are met with similar teams that already have equal or better quality.
“The arrival of the Papua Football Academy to Bali is very good. After practicing for 3 months in Timika, the children needed a stronger trial opponent. Not to win, but how to put into practice what they have learned during their training,” said Rully Nere, a national football legend who is also an adviser to the PFA.
In addition to honing skills in friendly matches in Bali, routine activities that are usually carried out while at the Mimika Sport Complex are still running. Such as the formal education learning process for PFA students under the Mimika Regency Education Office.
The PFA management also took advantage of the opportunity to be in Bali to give the children refreshing time in several locations and get to know the culture outside Papua. And play a role in cleaning up various garbage and dirt on Jimbaran Beach.
“I am happy with the PFA family to be able to go to Bali to train and compete. I will correct my mistakes during the match in Bali, especially against Bali United U14. They are a difficult opponent to face,” said Valentino Santo Wagiu, a player who qualified from the PFA Talent Search in Merauke.