After Meeting With The Indonesian National Team, Takumi Minamino Admits The Great Loop Of Pratama Arhan

Takumi Minamino praised Pratama Arhan's long throw (Instagram/@takumi18minamino_official).

JAKARTA - The Japanese star, Takumi Minamino, expressed his own impression on the Indonesian national team player, Pratama Arhan. Their meeting took place while defending their respective teams in the last match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup at Al Thumama Stadium, Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Although in the end the Garuda Squad lost 1-3 to the Blue Samurai, one goal on the scoreboard was proof of the strong resistance of the Indonesian national team.

The Indonesian national team's goal cannot be separated from Takumi Minamino's movement in the field. Entering in the 69th minute replacing Reo Hate, Minamino was enough to steal the attention of the Japanese public because it was considered a blunder that benefited the opposing team.

The Indonesian national team scored a goal through Sandy Walsh's feet during the second half injury time. This execution was successfully completed after he was able to take advantage of Pratama Arhan's long throw.

At that moment Minamino should have been able to block Walsh's movement if he could have headed the ball from Arhan's throw. However, his attempt failed, until the ball fell to Walsh's feet, which then succeeded in breaking into the Japanese goal.

Regarding his movement that failed to block Arhan's throw, Minamino regretted it enough. Moreover, this goal from Sandy Walsh made Japan fail to record a clean-sheet in three consecutive matches of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup.

"First, I can't beat the ball right in the air, but I hope to exchange positions with other players. I was unlucky because I couldn't throw the ball away," said Takumi Minamino, quoted from Hochi on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Furthermore, Minamino finally also expressed his views on Pratama Arhan's appearance in the field. He admitted that he did not expect Arhan to be able to throw very far away.

"I spoke to Yuta (Nakayama) and said it would be better to replace her with a stronger player in the air sphere in that situation (throw into Indonesia)."

"The attachment (which was carried out by Pratama Arhan) was far from what I expected. I hope to be more flexible in dealing with it," said Minamino.