Engkel's Injury While In Persebaya, Ernando Ari Endangered By Absent From Defending The Indonesian National Team In The 2023 Asian Cup

JAKARTA - Ernando Ari Sutaryadi was bullied while defending his club, Persebaya Surabaya, in Liga 1 2023/2024.

The goalkeeper suffered an ankle injury which made him also doubt defending the Indonesian national team in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Ernando suffered an injury while defending Persebaya against Persis Solo at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

In the match which ended 1-1, Ernando collided with Persis players which made him have to leave the field in the 73rd minute.

After the match, Uston Nawawi as Persebaya's caretaker gave news about Ernando's condition. Uston said that Ernando had an ankle injury.

"Ernando's ankle hurts. He can't continue the match, so I have to replace him (with Andhika Ramadhani)," said Uston Nawawi in a statement after the match, quoted on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

Although he has explained Ernando Ari's condition, Uston Nawawi has not been able to confirm how long the goalkeeper will need to recover.

Workshop injuries usually take weeks to two weeks or even more to actually recover.

Judging by the estimated time, there has been speculation that there is a possibility that Ernando is absent from defending the Indonesian national team in the 2023 Asian Cup.

The reason is, the 18th edition of the tournament will start on January 12, 2024 in Qatar. Before entering the 2023 Asian Cup agenda, the Indonesian national team plans to first hold a training camp (TC) on December 20, 2023 in Turkey.

On that occasion, Ernando, who is regularly called Shin Tae-yong, is predicted to be on the list. However, with his condition which is now suffering from an ankle injury plus a long recovery estimate, Ernando's opportunity to be able to participate in the TC ahead of the 2023 Asian Cup is also running low.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the PSSI National Team (BTN) as well as the national team manager, Sumardji, said that he had not received an official report regarding Ernando's injury.

This situation made it clear that he could not provide a statement, let alone guess about the continuation of the player in the Red and White Team.

"I have not received Ernando Sutaryadi's medical report. Later I will contact Persebaya's management," said Sumardji in a statement received.