JAKARTA - PSS Sleman coach Dejan Antonic admitted that his team still needed time to gather strength after his team was defeated by Madura United in their inaugural match in the 2021 Menpora Cup.

PSS itself suffered a defeat due to a goal by Madura United player Jaimerson Xavier who took full advantage of the opportunity from a free kick. The match itself was held at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, West Java, Tuesday (23/3).

"We still have a long time, we still have a lot of time to prepare, hopefully the foreign players will come soon, and we will definitely be stronger," Dejan said after the match.

Madura United itself managed to beat PSS with a score of 2-1. The goals scored by PSS were from Irfan Jaya, while Madura scored two goals from Moch Kevy and Jaimerson Xavier. Jaiman felt that the match presented by his foster children went quite well until the 70th minute. But after the players' stamina dropped, the club played. nicknamed the Javanese Eagle, also descended.

The number of players who were replaced, according to Dejan, was not enough to improve the pattern of play he wanted. Even so, he took the positive side of his defeat.

"I am very happy because everyone is working hard, we have a lot of new young players, earlier everyone got a chance, everyone worked for PSS," said Dejan.