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Friday, November 30, 2007

 

Should Borussia Dortmund come to Jakarta?

Just who will play for Indonesia?

The Loga season reaches a climax on 30th December and on the 16th there is a full round of fixtures penciled in. On the 18th, the day before Dortmund play in Jakarta there is a potentially vital game between Persita and Persib. A game that will have an impact on the Top 4 ambitions of both clubs.

I’m not really a big fan of club sides traveling the world playing friendlies against national sides in so called prestige friendlies. Far better they play local club sides like Persija or Persib. As Manchester United found out to their cost when a lucrative friendly was cancelled against Malaysia because it clashed with the Asian Cup, primacy should be given to the domestic game. Let’s face it. If Brazil offered to play Germany in May right in the middle of the climax to the Bundesliga season would the Germans be agreeable?

Indonesia has been starved of European sides for so long it’s great that at last someone out there remembers the country and it’s footballing heritage . But the timing sucks big time. Now I appreciate BVB will be in their winter pause but that’s not the point. This is decision time locally and should Indonesian football roll over and beg just because the Germans decide they want to come here at a time that best suits them?

This game smacks of self interest and it ain’t for the Indonesians. The national team players are needed by their clubs as they battle for the top 4 play offs and of course the Liga Super next year while the Under 23’s will be just knackered having just returned from the SEA Games.

Having big European clubs visit places like Indonesia brings little enough benefit to the local game, beyond a bumper day at the turnstiles. Better they come at a less hectic time of the season when people can be more focused and more prepared.

Comments:
I almost can't remember the last time a European side payed against an Indonesian club side. I do vaguely remember AC Milan thrashing Persib 8-0 sometime in '95.
 
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