Reluctant To Give Up, PSSI Writes To FAM And Sabah FC Asks Saddil Ramdani To Be Released To SEA Games 2021

PSSI has written to FAM and Sabah FC to be willing to release Saddil Ramdani (right) to strengthen the U-23 Indonesian National Team at the 2021 SEA Games. (Photo: Instagram.com/@officialsabahfc)

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team will appear at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi in May. To realize the mission to win the gold medal, PSSI wants Shin Tae-yong's team to appear with full strength.

As is known, three players are active abroad, until now they have not received permission from their clubs. They are Saddil Ramdani (Sabah FC), Pratama Arhan (Tokyo Verdy), and Elkann Baggott (Ipswich Town).

Currently, PSSI is still trying to get Saddil Ramdani to be released by his club to defend the U-23 Indonesian national team at the 2021 SEA Games. One of the efforts is that PSSI has written to the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) and the club where Saddil is sheltered.

"PSSI has sent a letter of request to FAM and Sabah FC regarding the summons and request that Saddil Ramdani can join the Indonesian U-23 National Team at the 2021 SEA Games. PSSI is waiting for a positive response and response from Sabah FC and FAM", said PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan, quoted from Antara.

Iriawan said Saddil's presence was expected to strengthen the U-23 national team which was trained by Shin Tae-yong. However, some time ago PSSI's request to repatriate Saddil had encountered difficulties from the club.

Whereas the Malaysian side previously decided to cancel the Malaysian Super League to allow the neighboring country to prepare for the 2021 SEA Games. That moment was clearly empty time and a breath of fresh air for Saddil's return.

"The postponement is a breath of fresh air for PSSI, which hopes that Saddil Ramdani will quickly join the Indonesian national team. Saddil is an important player for the team and is the choice of coach Shin Tae-yong", added Iriawan.

On the other hand, Shin Tae-yong as the head coach deliberately called players who had careers abroad to fill slots in the national team and underwent a training camp (TC) in South Korea in preparation for the 2021 SEA Games.

Fortunately for the men's soccer sport, PSSI targets the national team to bring home the 2021 SEA Games gold medal. In this prestigious event, the Garuda Squad is included in Group A with hosts Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Timor Leste.

The team nicknamed Garuda Muda will start its journey at the 2021 SEA Games against Vietnam on May 6, 2022, then face Timor Leste on May 10, 2022, the Philippines on May 13, 2022, and Myanmar on May 15, 2022.