Friday, October 27, 2017
Boost For Luis Milla As Spasojevic Receives Indonesian Passport
Bhayangkara's striker Ilija Spasojevic is now officially an Indonesian citizen. The Montenegrin born 30 year old who was signed by Simon McMenemy's team during the mid season transfer window could now be a candidate for the national team. I say could be; recent squads announced by coach Luis Milla have put the focus squarely on young local players.
Over the years I have often likened Spasojevic to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a lazy comparison now perhaps but appropriate in its way. Both have good body strength and both are technically gifted players, good both in the air and on the ground.
Unlike many foreign players who head to South East Asia in the twilight of their careers, Spaso headed east at a relatively young 23 with an impressive resume that already included clubs like Vojvodina and Dinamo Tblisi.
He arrived during the tumulutuos times of the Liga Prima Indonesia, the rebel league set up in 2011 as part of a political bitch fest, sorry a bid to improve the domestic game. He played for Bali Dewata in that season and scored a credible 10 goals in 14 games before the league was halted half way through.
He had done enough though to impress and has since played for PSM, Mitra Kukar, Putra Samarinda, Persib, Malaysia's Melaka United, arguably where he enjoyed his most prolific spell, and now of course Bhayangkara. As for wearing the merah putih of Indonesia? Who knows.
Bali Dewata 14 8
PSM 29 19
Mitra Kukar 16 10
Pusam 23 12
Persib 8 4
Melaka Utd 35 30
Bhayangkara 12 7
# posted by Me @ 4:52 PM 
