On Loan At Dutch League 2 Club De Graafschap, Melvin Platje Promises To Return To Bali United For The AFC Cup

Melvin Platje (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Bali United player Melvin Platje has officially been loaned to Dutch League 2 club De Graafschap. However, he promised to return to the Tridatu Soldier's arms for the 2021 AFC Cup which will start on June 22 to 28, 2021 for the preliminary round.

Quoted Antara from the club's official website, Tuesday, the duration of the loan from Melvin Platje is very short. He will only play with De Graafschap until June 1, 2021 and immediately return to Indonesia after his loan period is over.

"I'm doing this for the Bali United team, myself and the De Graafschap team. I want to help them promote to the highest caste of the Dutch League," said Melvin.

Melvin admits that he cannot continue to do only independent training. He needs an ideal competition to maintain his touch and physical condition after 10 months without a match.

Melvin, who has just extended his contract for a season with Bali United, certainly has special reasons for choosing the loan option at Graafschap. The target to bring Bali United to speak a lot in the AFC Cup is one of the goals.

"I want to play, and if I have played on the field of course for preparation for the AFC Cup. This is a very good situation, I can have matches before the AFC Cup and League 1 this year," he said.

Currently De Graafschap is in third place in the standings with 47 points or six points adrift of top standings Cambuur.

Melvin Platje's presence in the attacking sector opens up a great opportunity to help the team from the city of Doetinchem be promoted to the Dutch League 1 (Eredivisie) next season.

Meanwhile, Bali United coach Stefano Cugurra supported the loan process. He considered that the current situation was not good for a soccer player, so a competition was needed to keep players in shape.

"Melvin has not played in official competitions for almost a year. Melvin can definitely play on loan. When he returns to Bali United, he can be more prepared than other players for his physical condition," said the coach who is familiarly called Teco.

"When he is loaned to a good team, of course he has good training time and can play in official competitions. When he returns to Bali United is very ready to help the team," he added.