SIGNED, SEALED AND ON THEIR WAY

Selangor confident Indonesians Evan and Ilham will arrive before Dec 22

SELANGOR are confident their two new Indonesian signings will report for training next week despite their transfers inviting criticism from the Indonesian FA president.

Evan Dimas Darmono and Ilham Udin Aramaiyn signed with Super League side Selangor last month but Indonesian FA head Edy Rahmayadi condemned the pair’s move from Bhayangkara as “unpatriotic and motivated by money” in Indonesian reports.

Edy questioned the need for Indonesian players to play in Malaysia ahead of the Asian Games and AFF Cup in 2018, fearful that Malaysian players will become accustomed to the way Indonesians played.

Kuala Lumpur’s bid to sign defender Achmad Jufriyanto from Persib Bandung has also run into a snag though the city side are confident of completing the deal.

Selangor, too, expect Evan and Ilham to report for training as agreed on Dec 22, said FA of Selangor president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.

“That can’t happen as we have a signed and stamped contract (with both players) and payment has been collected,” said Subahan today when asked if the two players might not show up.

“Only currently they are in a training camp with their national team. But both will be with us on Dec 22.”

Subahan is unperturbed by Edy’s criticism, stressing that Selangor has a long history of employing Indonesian players including Bambang Pamungkas, Elie Aiboy and Andik Vermansyah.

“Well, he can say what he wants,” said Subahan. “How can playing abroad and making more money be unpatriotic? Selangor has always had Indonesian players. As far as Selangor are concerned we have valid contracts with the players.”

Midfielder Evan, 22, and winger Ilham, 21, are both expected to be included in Indonesia’s Under-23 team for the Asian Games in Jakarta but with the M-League continuing during the event in August, Indonesia are fearful the two players may not be released.

When queried by Indonesian media over the issue, Evan said: “Selangor are not aware of what Edy said. Even if they did, it is not a problem. I believe Selangor will release us for national team duty.”

Ilham added: “I don’t want to comment. For sure when called up by the national team, I am always ready.”