Hanis Sagara Declared Negative For COVID-19, 7 National Team Players Are Still Positive

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team received bad news ahead of the match against Timor Leste because eight players were exposed to COVID-19. However, PSSI's latest statement stated that Hanis Sagara was negative.

"Striker Hanis Sagara, who was originally included in the line-up, was finally replaced because he was not feeling well", said PSSI's statement on its official website quoted Monday, January 31.

"After a PCR swab was carried out, he was declared negative. So the total positive was 7 Indonesian national team players", the statement continued.

Shin Tae-yong reported on his team's tattered condition after the match against Timor Leste, Sunday, January 30. However, the coach did not mention in detail who the players were.

Of course, Shin Tae-yong only had five reserve players against Timor Leste. Whereas in the previous match, 11 players could be options.

In the trial match, a number of names that were absent were Evan Dimas, Syahrul Trisna, Muhammad Rafli, Rizky Ridho, Rizky Dwi, Syahrian Abimanyu, Yabes Roni, Hanis Saghara, Irfan Jaya, and Muhammad Adi Satryo.

However, it is not only the national team players who have been declared exposed to COVID-19. PSSI also reported that four employees and one East Timorese official had tested positive for COVID-19.

"Timor Leste has also dropped without its best line-up. There are four players plus one official who is positive for COVID-19", concluded PSSI.