The Surprise Effect Of Asnawi At Ansan Greeners: The Club's Instagram Follower Add Thousands

Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar joins Ansan Greeners (Instagram @asnawi_bhr)

JAKARTA - The number of followers of the Instagram account of the South Korean football club, Ansan Greeners FC has increased since the arrival of Indonesian player Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar. The Asnawi Effect began to be felt on the body of the team nicknamed the Green Wolves, even before the player took to the field.

Initially, Instagram, which belongs to the South Korean League 2 club (South Korea) or K League 2, has around 5,000 followers. After confirming Asnawi's arrival, this number increased to reach 25,000 marks. Most of them from Indonesia.

Asnawi moved from PSM Makassar to Ansan Greeners with a one-year contract duration with an option to extend if he shows a charming performance.

The 21-year-old footballer admits that his contract value at Ansan Greeners is not as high as what he received at PSM Makassar. However, it is certain that Asnawi will not be an obstacle for him to make a maximum contribution to Ansan Greeners.

"I have to prepare mentally so that I can work harder", Asnawi said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 9.

Asnawi has not been officially introduced by Ansan Greeners because he is currently under quarantine in South Korea. Self-isolation for 14 days is required by the South Korean government for all migrants from abroad to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The management of Ansan Greeners stated that his party met all Asnawi's needs as long as the defender of the Indonesian U-23 national team was undergoing quarantine in Ginseng country.

"The club provides a very comfortable accommodation complete with training equipment, then provides food. There are all here", said Asnawi in a virtual meeting with PSSI Pers which was followed in Jakarta, last Saturday.

In addition, Asnawi was provided with books and a Korean dictionary. These conditions made Asnawi comfortable in isolation. As of this writing, Asnawi has been quarantined for seven days.

There are still seven days left until he completes the isolation obligations imposed by the South Korean government. If Asnawi is confirmed not to have contracted COVID-19, then after two weeks he can join his colleagues at Ansan Greeners.

Asnawi is determined to quickly adapt to South Korea's climate and culture. In addition to later being assisted by Ansan Greeners staff, some of whom were co-coaches of the Indonesian national team Shin Tae-yong, Asnawi's adjustment was also assisted by Indonesian citizens in South Korea.

"Several Indonesians in South Korea have contacted me via Instagram. Maybe later after quarantine, I can meet Indonesians to help me adapt here", said Asnawi.

This well-known versatile player said that he put aside the value of the contract when he chose to join Ansan Greeners.

"What I think about is not the price, but the opportunity. I have been looking forward to playing abroad for a long time", admitted Asnawi.

Asnawi is ready to play as a wing-back or defensive midfielder as coach Kim Gil-sik needs. Hopefully, the effect Asnawi gives is not only on social media but also on the final results in the field.