Not Wanting to Let Players Go to the U-23 National Team, Sumardji is Disappointed with Persija and PSM’s Foreign Coaches

Jakarta – The chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN) or the manager of the Indonesian National Football Team, Sumardji, is very angry and disappointed with the two top clubs in League 1, namely Persija Jakarta and PSM Makassar.

Disappointment and criticism was mainly aimed at Sumardji against the foreign coaches of the two camps.

Because the coach doesn’t want to let go of his players to join the U-23 Indonesian National Team.

As is known, the coach of the U-23 Indonesian National Team Shin Tae-yong has called 23 names for the U-23 AFF Cup which will take place in Thailand from 17 to 26 August 2023.

Unfortunately, until the first training which was held on Thursday (10/8), only 17 names had joined Garuda Muda.

Meanwhile, four names, namely Beckham Putra, Kadek Arel, Alfeandra Dewangga and Adi Satryo, were confirmed to have given their joining date.

However, the remaining two, namely Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta) and Dzaky Asraf (PSM Makassar) have not shown any signs of being released by their respective clubs to the U-23 Indonesian National Team.

Because of this, Sumardji strongly criticized Persija coach Thomas Doll and PSM Makassae coach Bernardo Tavares for making things difficult for the national team.

“I am very disappointed that two players are not present. For various reasons. First, Persija Jakarta. The second is PSM Makassar,” said Sumardji in a video uploaded to the Instagram account @skorindonesia.

“What I need to convey. I inform you. For the national interest. Only called to strengthen the national team. That’s all the coach is arrested, not released,” continued the police officer with the rank of Kombes Kombes in a high tone.

“This nation needs energy, the minds of the players. However, if the foreign coaches who are in this country, who are looking for food in this country make it difficult, I think people can judge for themselves,” he said again.

Therefore Sumardji will report the two foreign coaches and the two clubs to PSSI.

“And I will report this to the General Chair so that there will be some kind of backwards action. We must not allow it. Foreign coaches are looking for food in our country, but it makes it difficult for the national team, when talking about this national team, we are talking about the country,” he said.

“So on this occasion, I hope for support from the community because if there is no support from the community, we will also find it difficult because foreign coaches always take refuge in non-FIFA calendars,” he continued again.

Apart from that, Sumardji claims that his party has also prepared a plan B if Persija Jakarta and PSM Makassar refuse to release Rizky Ridho and Dzaky Asraf to the U-23 Indonesian National Team until the end.

According to Sumardji, there are two alternative names that can be used as options, namely Mohammad Kanu and Haykal Alhafiz.

“Indeed, when Dzaky and Ridho really don’t come, I have coordinated with coach Shin. The options are, one Kanu, and maybe Haykal’s second option, we will communicate again with the club,” explained Sumardji.

“But yesterday I was called by the management of Persis Solo, if indeed you are needed today they will also be sent. Don’t hesitate and Persis Solo fully supports the national team program,” he added. Bembo

List of Called Up Players for the AFF U-23 Cup

Goalkeeper:
Ernando Ari Sutaryadi (Persebaya Surabaya)

Muhammad Adi Satryo (PSIS Semarang)

Daffa Fasya (Borneo FC Samarinda)

Defender:
Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta)

Persija Jakarta)

Muhammad Ferrari (Persija Jakarta)

Alfeandra Dewangga (PSIS Semarang)

Bagas Kaffa (Barito Putera)

Komang Teguh (Borneo FC Samarinda)

Frengky Missa (Persikabo 1973)

Dzaky Asraf (PSM Makassar)