Indonesia name squad for Iran

GOAL – JAKARTA, Indonesia coach Wim Rijsbergen has surprisingly recalled veteran goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko and omitted regular number one Markus Horison in his latest squad for a training camp prior to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and Iran.

In addition, several new players have also been called up for the training camp in Solo before the fixtures on November 11 and 15.

As expected, Rijsbergen named two of Pelita Jaya’s newly naturalised players, namely Victor Igbonefo and Greg Nwokolo.

The four additional players who will attend the training camp were two goalkeepers, Kartiko and Samsidar, and two defenders, Fandy Mochtar and Mahyadi Panggabean.

Assistant coach Liestiadi Sinaga told reporters: “Hendro is called as the third goalkeeper and back-up. We wanted to use the Under-23 national team goalkeeper as a back up, but they’re preparing for the SEA Games. In addition, Hendro is still very good.

“The role of Hendro here is to provide guidance and input. He has a lot of experience. He knows the pressure of the international level. So he can share it with I Made Wirawan and Ferry Rotinsulu. Hendro also has a good attitude.”

Rijsbergen also recalled Ricardo Salampessy and Boaz Solossa, who were not willing to strengthen the national team in the game against Qatar on October 11 for personal reasons.

Indonesia will travel to Qatar on November 11 and will host Iran in Jakarta four days later.