JAKARTA (18 Oct 2011) – Indonesia will compete in the SEA Games without their most popular and flamboyant player – Irfan Bachdim.
The 23-year-old Irfan was omitted from the squad by Under-23 team chief coach Rachmad Darmawan after he failed to show up for a friendly against Persiba Bantul at Gelora Bung Karno this week.
“That’s it. Let’s forget Irfan Bachdim,” said Rachmad. “We want good teamwork so players have to stay together during the camp, but he didn’t show up.”
The coach said he had waited for Irfan since the senior national team played Qatar in 2014 World Cup qualifying on 11 Oct 2011. The striker dressed but did not play in Indonesia’s 3-2 loss.
Irfan did not report to camp and could not be contacted, so coaches gave him until Sunday to join the squad.
“Irfan sent me text messages saying he was doing commercial shoots, had a family matter and could only join the team after 22 October. I told him, ‘No, thanks,’ ” Rachmad said. “If he arrives on 23 October, he won’t be able to play in friendlies with the team. How can he work well with the rest of the squad?”
Indonesia is scheduled to play Pakistan and East Timor in warm-ups, though dates for the matches have yet to be determined.
Irfan, who could not be reached for comment, offered an explanation on his Twitter account, @IrfanBachdim10.
“I want to play for the country which I’m proud of. After the match against Qatar, there was no information that I had to join the national U23 team, so I decided to do my commercial obligations for two days,” he wrote.
He also said he and his wife Jennifer were ill, so they had doctor’s appointment on Friday.
“I respect the coach’s decision and I hope he can understand my circumstances. I’m waiting to be called by the national team again and fight for the country that I love,” Irfan wrote.
Rachmad said he had left the matter to the FA of Indonesia (PSSI), whose rules allow players who fail to answer national team call-ups to be banned from football for six months and fined up to IDR 100 million (USD11,000).
PSSI national team coordinator Bob Hippy said on Monday that Irfan would not be called up to the U-23 team again and that the association’s disciplinary committee would look into the matter.
“We congratulate Irfan on his new profession. The national team cannot depend only on him,” Bob said.
The Persema Malang striker shot to fame after scoring twice in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup.
His pretty-boy looks earned him several endorsement deals, and he recently made a cameo in the movie ‘Tendangan Dari Langit’ (A Kick from Heaven).
SOURCE: Jakarta Globe
