No Longer Protest Many Players Called The National Team, Persebaya Manager: Supports For The Best Achievement

Persebaya (Twitter.com/@Persebayaupdate)

JAKARTA - Ahead of the 2022 AFF U-23 Cup in Cambodia, the Indonesian national team is finalizing preparations by conducting a training camp. Of the 29 names called, three of them are members of Persebaya Surabaya.

Although he had asked for restrictions on two players from each League 1 club, Persebaya manager Candra Wahyudi then fully supported three of his players appearing to defend the U-23 national team.

"Persebaya supports the national team program in order to achieve the best performance," said Candra in a written statement received by VOI, Wednesday, February 2.

Three Persebaya players who were called up to strengthen the U-23 national team in the AFF Cup were Rizky Ridho, Rachmat Irianto, and Marselino Ferdinand.

Prior to these three names, Ricky Kambuaya and Ernando Ari were also included in the squad designed by Shin Tae-yong for the FIFA match day agenda against Timor Leste.

Previously, Chandra had sent a letter requesting the restriction of players called by the Indonesian national team to PSSI. He asked the club to only send a maximum of two players to defend the country.

This step was taken by Chandra because Persebaya had lost five of its players when Indonesia played Timor Leste. This situation is considered detrimental to Persebaya who are also competing to win the League 1 this season.

Apart from the reasons above, Chandra's request was made because currently Persebaya is also experiencing a player crisis because Ady Setiawan, Reva Adi Utama, and Akbar Firmansyah were confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Nevertheless, Persebaya admitted that they had prepared substitutes to maintain the balance of the team.

"Definitely (prepared substitute players)," said Candra continued.

Regarding the situation of players hit by the COVID-19 storm, club management is still monitoring the progress of players. In addition, they also have a fixed schedule of PCR tests to prevent wider transmission.

"(Players) who were positive underwent isolation until they were declared negative. Today, another PCR test was carried out and we are still waiting for the results," he concluded.