JAKARTA (30 May 2012) – After successfully securing the services of three players from the Indonesia Super League (ISL) to fortify the national team recently, the FA of Indonesia (PSSI) will be out to enlist even more players for the national cause.
The three ISL players who had joined the Indonesia senior squad recently were Oktovianus Maniani (Persiram Raja Ampat), Titus Bonai (Persipura Jayapura) dan Patrich Wanggai (Persidafon Dafonsoro).
“We hope that more players from the ISL will join the national team when we take on the Philippines (on 5 June in Manila). It will be good if we can get the best players from the ISL and also the Indonesia Premier League (IPL) together,” said Bernhard Limbong, of the Indonesia national team committee.
“The game against the Philippines is important in that we are not looking at preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup later in the year but also at improving the world ranking.”
Indonesia are currently placed 151st while the Philippines are 148th.
For the next assignment, the Indonesian national team under Nil Maizar has been tasked with finding the balance of 60% players from the recent Al-Nakbah Tournament in Palestine and 40% from the side that played against Inter Milan.
“We are not looking at a big score against the Philippines but rather a marked improvement in the overall performance. It has to be understood that the target for this year is the AFF Suzuki Cup and the players selected whether from the ISL or the IPL must put up their best,” added Bernhard.
PIX: Patrich Wanggai
