Carlos Pena, the head coach of Persija Jakarta, has spoken out after three of his key players were called up to the Indonesian national team for the AFF Cup 2024, putting their participation in the upcoming BRI Liga 1 matches at risk.
The three players in question are Andritany Ardhiyasa, Marco Motta, and Rohit Chand, who have all been instrumental in Persija’s recent success in the league. Their absence would undoubtedly be a major blow to the team’s chances in the upcoming matches.
Pena expressed his disappointment at the timing of the national team call-ups, stating that it puts Persija at a disadvantage in the league. He also raised concerns about the lack of communication between the national team management and the clubs, which he believes could have been handled better.
The coach emphasized the importance of having a strong squad for the upcoming matches, and losing three key players to the national team would undoubtedly weaken Persija’s chances in the league. Pena urged the national team management to consider the impact of their decisions on the clubs and to work together to find a solution that benefits all parties involved.
As it stands, the three players are set to miss at least six BRI Liga 1 matches while on national team duty. This could have a significant impact on Persija’s standing in the league and their chances of securing a top spot in the table.
Despite the challenges ahead, Pena remains optimistic about Persija’s prospects in the league and is confident that the team can overcome the obstacles they face. He called on the remaining players to step up and fill the void left by their teammates, and to work together to achieve success in the upcoming matches.
In conclusion, Carlos Pena’s comments highlight the difficulties that clubs face when their players are called up for national team duty. The situation underscores the need for better communication and cooperation between the national team and the clubs to ensure that all parties are able to work together towards a common goal. It remains to be seen how Persija will fare in the absence of their key players, but one thing is clear – they will need to dig deep and show resilience in order to overcome this challenge.