Sunday, June 07, 2009
Indonesian strikers to the fore
With some clubs having to forsake the highly paid foreign strikers it has been refreshing to see local forwards getting among the goals. Primarily of course Persipura's Boaz Solossa. The lightning quick wide man can play anywhere along the front and has long been considered a Papuan prodigy and this season, despite missing much of the start, has shown what he can do with 26 goals so far, second only behind some geezer called Cristian Gonazales.
Talking Gonzales, the fact that his old side Persik haven't disappeared without trace in the second half of the season is because the side has managed to regroup and have looked to Saktiawan Sinaga for leadership up top. And the former PSMS and Indonesian international has responded with several crucial goals keeping Persik in the top half of the table.
One striker in a rich vein of form is Rahmat Rivai at Persitara. He has really blossomed alongside the more traditional centre forward Prince Kabir Bello and the former Persiter man has hit 11 ISL goals plus four in the Copa. Rahmat forced his way into the national squad a couple of years back and while he may be the wrong side of 30, in footballing terms, his pace is always going to unhinge defenders.
Persela may be one of the more unsung clubs in the League and the last couple of seasons may have relied too much on the goals for Brazilian import Marcio Souza but now, with rumours he fancies his chances in Europe, they have seen Dicky Firasat push his way forward. Despite not being a regular he still has chipped in with 11 goals in all competitions and could well flourish next season if Persela decide not to replace Souza.
Two strikers who will always trouble the keeper are Persija's Bambang Pamungkas and Persiba's Mushafry. Bambang had a prolific first half to the season but, rather like his team, has struggled in the second half but still has managed 19 goals. Musafry, who started the season on fire, forced his way into the national team where his terrier like performances made him such a difficult opponent in the AFF Cup. 14 goals ain't a bad return in an average Persiba side and there has been gossip Sriwijaya are interested in him. But then the side from Palembang are linked with everyone these days.
Then , finally Esther, we have Syamsul Arief. So impressive in the Copa with his Premier League side Persibo he has grabbed all the headlines as his goals have overturned so called bigger fish. Yet his performances in the IPL have been more sedate and less prolific. Certainly he has grabbed the headlines but will he be on the move pre season? And if so, where?
There are other names as well. Rahmat Affandi at PSMS and Yongky Ari Wibowo at Persik. The game ain't nothing without goals and one pleasing factor about the soon to end ISL has been the presence of so many Indonesian strikers. And with just one own goal in their last five internationals boy they need someone up top!
Talking Gonzales, the fact that his old side Persik haven't disappeared without trace in the second half of the season is because the side has managed to regroup and have looked to Saktiawan Sinaga for leadership up top. And the former PSMS and Indonesian international has responded with several crucial goals keeping Persik in the top half of the table.
One striker in a rich vein of form is Rahmat Rivai at Persitara. He has really blossomed alongside the more traditional centre forward Prince Kabir Bello and the former Persiter man has hit 11 ISL goals plus four in the Copa. Rahmat forced his way into the national squad a couple of years back and while he may be the wrong side of 30, in footballing terms, his pace is always going to unhinge defenders.
Persela may be one of the more unsung clubs in the League and the last couple of seasons may have relied too much on the goals for Brazilian import Marcio Souza but now, with rumours he fancies his chances in Europe, they have seen Dicky Firasat push his way forward. Despite not being a regular he still has chipped in with 11 goals in all competitions and could well flourish next season if Persela decide not to replace Souza.
Two strikers who will always trouble the keeper are Persija's Bambang Pamungkas and Persiba's Mushafry. Bambang had a prolific first half to the season but, rather like his team, has struggled in the second half but still has managed 19 goals. Musafry, who started the season on fire, forced his way into the national team where his terrier like performances made him such a difficult opponent in the AFF Cup. 14 goals ain't a bad return in an average Persiba side and there has been gossip Sriwijaya are interested in him. But then the side from Palembang are linked with everyone these days.
Then , finally Esther, we have Syamsul Arief. So impressive in the Copa with his Premier League side Persibo he has grabbed all the headlines as his goals have overturned so called bigger fish. Yet his performances in the IPL have been more sedate and less prolific. Certainly he has grabbed the headlines but will he be on the move pre season? And if so, where?
There are other names as well. Rahmat Affandi at PSMS and Yongky Ari Wibowo at Persik. The game ain't nothing without goals and one pleasing factor about the soon to end ISL has been the presence of so many Indonesian strikers. And with just one own goal in their last five internationals boy they need someone up top!
# posted by Me @ 4:04 AM 
