JAKARTA (19 Oct 2012) – The FA of Indonesia (PSSI) have included star striker Bambang Pamungkas as well as former captain Firman Utina as part of the 35 players to be registered for the AFF Suzuki Cup next month.
Indonesia, the losing finalists two years ago, are in Group B of the biennial championship where they will be up against hosts Malaysia, Singapore and Laos in Kuala Lumpur.
“The selection of these players was made after a closed meeting between the coaches and the team management,” said Habil Marati, the team manager of the Indonesia national team.
“We have to register 35 players by tomorrow (20 October). A week before the start of the tournament, we have shortlist it to 23 players.”
Other than Bambang and Firman, the other notable players that have been shortlisted are Ahmad Bustomi and Hamka Hamzah (from Mitra Kukar) and Patrich Wanggai (from Persipura Jayapura). Incidentally, the five players are playing in the Indonesia Super League (ISL).
The PSSI have also called four players currently playing for Belgian club CS Vise – Syamsir Alam, Yandi Sofyan, Alfin Tuasalamony and Yericho Christiantoko. They have also included two naturalized players in Stefano Lilipaly and Jhon van Beukering.
INDONESIA’S LIST OF 35 PLAYERS
Samsidar, Endra Prasetya, Wahyu Tri Nugroho, Handi Ramdhan, Wahyu Wijiastanto, Fachrudin, Novan Setya Sasongko, Nopendi, Hengki Ardiles, Taufiq, Vendry Mofu, M Nur Iskandar, Rahmat Syamsuddin, Jajang Paliama, Elie Aiboy, Samsul Arif, Irfan Bachdim, Hendra Bayauw, Rasyid A Bakri, Ahmad Bustomi, Hamka Hamzah, Firman Utina, Andik Vermansah, Bambang Pamungkas, Cornelius Gedy, Oktovianus Maniani, Valentino Telaubun, Stefano Lilipaly, Jhon van Beukering, Syamsir Alam, Alfin Tuassalomony, Yandi Sofyan, Yericho Christiantoko, Patrich Wanggai, Diego Michiels.
