Jakarta Casual

I've always felt kind of sorry for Rahmat Affandi. The striker is a victim of an Indonesian league that is reluctant to really trust in young players. Yes, one or two do breakthrough; Boas Solossa, Okta Maniani, Yongki Aribowo and Megia Kurnia spring to mind but for those names there are a score that don't.

Rahmat falls into that category. He scored a brace at the weekend (pictured left celebrating his first) as Persija defeated Indonesia Super League champions Sriwijaya 3-0 at the Bung Karno in Jakarta but he was only playing because first choice striker Bambang Pamungkas was in England carrying the Olympic torch.

It's not as if clubs don't rate him. Before signing for Persija he had enjoyed spells with Arema and Persib.


The 28 year old striker started his career with Persija back in 2003 before a move to Persebaya. He stayed one season there before moving to Pelita Jaya where he had one season before heading to North Sulawesi where he had one season with Persibom.

Then he had one season with Persikabo followed by one season with PSMS (pictured right celebrating a goal against Persik.

Followed of course with one season at Arema and Persib.

Despite having gone through the age groups with the national team, Rahmat has yet to make an appearance for the full team.

So what is it with him? The big clubs rate him enough to sign him but not play him?