Have You Had A Meeting With The Indonesian National Team, Why Is Persija Still Not Free Of 4 Players?

Persija Jakarta coach, Thomas Doll (left). (Photo: Persija Jakarta Official Site)

JAKARTA - Persija Jakarta has released five players from a total of nine names who were called Shin Tae-yong to the Indonesian U-20 national team training camp (TC). The Kemayoran Tigers have their own reasons for not releasing the other four players.

The four players who have not been released by Persija are Muhammad Ferarri, Alfriyanto Nico, Dony Tri Pamungkas, and Cahya Supriadi. The team has not released the four of them because they still need their strength in the midst of the busy schedule of Liga 1.

"Thomas (Doll) is still holding (four players) because it is still needed in the first team. Because the match schedule (League 1) is busy," said Persija Media Officer, Kukuh Wahyudi when contacted by VOI on Thursday, February 9.

The choice of the Kemayoran Tigers to keep the four players in custody had created tensions with the national team coach, Shin Tae-yong. However, the situation finally softened after a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, February 7.

"But this is finally partially (players) starting to be released. However, regular players who play in the first team are still being detained," he continued.

In addition to the four names above, Persija have actually released other players to join the U-20 national team TC agenda. The five names are Resa Aditya, Ginanjar Wahyu, Frengky Missa, Achmad Maulana, and Barnabas Sobor.

They docked with the Garuda Muda Squad before the polemic of the summons which had led to mutual satire between the coaches, Thomas Doll and Shin Tae-yong.

"Yes, before the meeting (with PSSI), Persija had released five players," explained Kukuh.

Meanwhile, for the four players who have not been close to Shin Tae-yong's squad, the club has yet to determine a deadline. "The deadline (time to join the national team) is not determined," said Kukuh.

Meanwhile, Shin Tae-yong revealed the provisions expressed by Persija to be able to release the goalkeeper, Cahya Supriadi, to the U-20 Indonesian national team.

"There are several options that we and Persija provide. However, there is indeed one problem with Persija. They asked Cahya to be released to the U-20 Indonesian national team during the D-1 match," said Shin Tae-yong.

"We can understand because goalkeeper number two at Persija doesn't exist. Okay. That's okay. I agree," said the South Korean coach.