Sriwijaya FC Uses League Delay to Sharpen Preparations with More Friendlies
Sriwijaya FC Uses League Delay to Sharpen Preparations with More Friendlies
The postponed start of the Championship League has given Sriwijaya FC extra time to step up their preparations with a series of trial matches.
Head coach Achmad Zulkifli emphasized that his squad needs opponents of equal strength to truly measure their progress and readiness for the 2025/2026 season.
“Our plan is to hold test matches every two weeks. It’s important to see whether the players can properly implement the training materials on the field,” Zulkifli said on Sunday (August 18, 2025).
The coach, affectionately known as Azul, revealed that Sriwijaya FC will soon face Nusantara FC, a League 3 club based in Lampung.
“I’ve already communicated with Nusantara. Once their squad is assembled, we’re ready to arrange the friendly,” he added.
Beyond Nusantara FC, Sriwijaya FC is also targeting a match against Sumsel United, a fellow South Sumatran side. Azul believes the clash would be valuable since the team is on par with the “Laskar Wong Kito” and capable of providing tougher competition.
“We’ve also opened talks with our neighboring club (Sumsel United) because, at the moment, they are the only local team at a comparable level,” he explained.
Zulkifli stressed that high-quality friendlies are essential for both the coaching staff and management to evaluate the squad’s true readiness ahead of the campaign.
“We expect to play two or three more test matches before the league begins. We don’t just want to play casually, but to face opponents that really challenge us. Only then can we maximize our evaluation,” he concluded.