Supporting Pratama Arhan To Continue Career In Japan, Chairman of The Indonesian Football Association: I'm Sure You Can Succeed

Pratama Arhan ( Twitter.com/@pssi)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Mochamad Iriawan supports the left-back of the Indonesian national team Pratama Arhan to continue his football career in the Japanese League 2 or J2 League.

"I believe you can be successful in Japan. You will also bring the name of the nation," said Iriawan, quoted by Antara from the PSSI website in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Iriawan himself conveyed the message directly via video phone with Arhan.

The announcement of the transfer of Pratama Arhan to Tokyo Verdy from PSIS Semarang came out on Wednesday from each club.

Arhan was contracted by Tokyo Verdy for two years. However, the PSIS said there was no fee for the transfer or it was free.

Tokyo Verdy itself is one of the most successful clubs in Japan by collecting two J1 League titles, five Emperor Cup winners status, six J League Cup trophies and one Asian Champions League champion.

The club, which was founded (1969) named Yomiuri FC, was first relegated to the J2 League in 2005 because that season they were in 17th position (out of 18 teams) in the J1 League.

However, Tokyo Verdy returned to the J1 League in 2008 before being thrown back into the J2 League to date.

Arhan was determined to help his new club return to the J1 League.

According to Arhan, there are at least four aspects of him that can support his team's performance.

"I have speed on the left, 'crossing' (crossing), supply of the ball and throw-ins deep into the penalty box," said the 2020 AFF Cup best young player.

Pratama Arhan is not the first Indonesian player to have a career in Japan. Before him, there were names like Ricky Yacobi, Irfan Bachdim and Stefano Lilipaly who had tried their luck in the Land of Sakura.