Persebaya Surabaya Vs PSIS Semarang, Coach Asks Taisei Marukawa To Show Fierce Against The 'Former'

PSIS Semarang player, Taisei Marukawa (blue). (Photo: Doc. Liga Indonesia)

JAKARTA - PSIS Semarang will face Persebaya Surabaya at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Tuesday, August 23, 2022. This will be a special match for PSIS forward Taisei Marukawa.

The Japanese player was a pillar of Persebaya Surabaya last season. He played 32 times throughout the competition and scored 17 goals.

PSIS coach, Sergio Alexandre hopes, Marukawa can appear fierce against his former club.

"Taisei Marukawa is a player who has finished his adaptation process both as a team and tactically. We hope that Marukawa is able to continue the positive trend at PSIS as he showed when he strengthened Persebaya," said Sergio, in the Indonesian League's official website.

Unfortunately, PSIS will not be strengthened by Carlos Fortes. The player who is a mainstay on the front lines of Laskar Mahesa Jenar is still struggling with injuries.

Sergio hopes Fortes can recover soon because he really needs his strength. "He is an important player for us. He has quality and it is undeniable that PSIS need him," said Sergio.

"However, now we give the opportunity to other players to play optimally."

"It must be admitted, whoever replaces Fortes, there is still a different feeling. However, whoever will be played, will definitely be challenged to be able to show the best quality for the team," he continued.

PSIS faced the match against Persebaya with a 2-1 victory over Persik Kediri in the previous match. While Persebaya was humiliated by Borneo FC with a score of 1-2.

However, Sergio assesses the match will be fierce. "I hope, we can show the best game in accordance with the preparations we did," he said.