JAKARTA (30 August 2012) – Talented right back Diego Michiels is out of Indonesia’s squad for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012. Following his decision not to join the Indonesian national team’s centralised training camp this week in preparation for next month’s SCTV Cup, the FA of Indonesia (PSSI) have decided to close the door on the naturalised player.
“It is not that Michiels is not considered for the national team but rather we have decided to leave him totally out of the national squad,” said Habil Marati, the team manager of the Indonesia national team.
Added Nil Maizar, the chief coach of Indonesia: “we are not even thinking of having him (for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012).”
Michiels was a revelation at the last SEA Games in Indonesia where his strong performance saw the hosts taking the silver medal. But while he had played for Persijia Jakarta (in the Indonesia Premier League), his loan to Arema Indonesia this month seemed to have complicate things.
Arema Indonesia are due to take on Al Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup 2012 – 18 September at home and then 25 September away.
Michiels’ decision to join the club instead of the national side has drawn the fury of the Indonesia national team management, who has since decided to close the door on him.
