REPUBLIKA.CO.ID , JAKARTA -- Former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso interested to speak about the purchase of a majority stake of Italian Inter Milan FC by a consortium of Indonesian businessman driven by Erick Thohir. According to Sutiyoso, the acquisition is a challenge for Indonesian soccer players to improve their skills.
Erick status as new owner of Inter FC will pave the way for football talents to test European football arenas.
"However, [The question is] do Indonesian players competent enough to compete with the European players? It's a big challenge for our players and the entire Indonesian football figures. We must capitalize these opportunities and challenges," said the man who is usually called Bang Yos to Reuters, some time ago.
He considered, the fundamental challenge that must be answered is how the Indonesian footballer improves their physical posture, beside their playing techniques. This is important so that they can compete with European players who have a taller and larger posture.
He added, Indonesia required an integrated football training system. The training should not only improve playing skills and techniques, but also their physical strength. "The training should be started from a lower level, ie School Football (SSB). The trainer should implement programs to improve player's posture, for instance, by improving their nutritional level," said the man who had been an adviser for the famous Persija Jakarta FC.
The man who also served as chairman of the PB Perbasi and PB PBSI is aware that not all European footballers have ideal posture. Like Barcelona FC's player Lionel Messi . With only 170 cm of height, Messi has been elected three times as the world's Ballon d'Or best players. He said, Messi is an exceptional case. Besides developing his career since his childhood, Messi had a natural outstanding talent. "In general, European footballer minimum height is 180 cm," he continued.
On 2011 edition, Guardian posted an article about average posture of football player in Europe. Referring to the data produced by Professional Football Players Observatory (PFPO), the article wrote, the average height of football player in Europe is 181.96 cm. The average trend continues to increase 0.28 cm per year.
Based on the analysis, physical factors should be a determinant factor for football player selection. It's said that players with mediocre posture, like Messi, Iniesta, Sneijder, Nasri, and Luca Modric are talented players who sooner or later will be knocked out by other taller players.
Erick has stated that he is ready to open the door for the Indones'a football players to test Inter Milan as long as the players were able to pass all criteria.
Sutiyoso said, Erick has proved his promise by providing an opportunity for Indonesia's Syamsir Alam to join US DC United, the club purchased by Erick before Inter Milan. Unfortunately, Alam failed to show his competence. Alam's physicals posture has not been sufficient to keep up with the players in MLS.
Erick successful acquisition of Inter Milan FC also appreciated by PSSI chairman Djohar Arifin. He hopes, it could boost recognition for Indonesia's football talents. "It would bring a very positive effect for us. Thank you Erick, for having the courage to own Inter Milan," Djohar said.
ed: israr itah & zaky al hamzah
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