Arya Sinulingga spoke that PSSI was a bit confused why Eliano Reijnders was not in the national team against Japan, Friday, November 15th 2024 in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. It was not for the first that Eliano has been taken out from the squad. When Indonesia lost against China 2-1, October 15th, Eliano had been taken out from the squad too.
PSSI Executive Committee fellow Arya Sinulingga spoke to Kumparan about it. He wondered what Shin-Tae Yong was doing. Because, Eliano is player that he wanted to join to the team. In naturalization process, as a PSSI program to enforce the national team, PSSI does not randomly choose any player.
“We are not choose any random player to enforce our national team. Before we are continuing the naturalization process, firstly we offer it to STY. If he want this player, we are making the naturalization process, but if does not, we don't,” said Arya Sinulingga in Kumparan’s YouTube, Saturday, November 16th 2024.
In this interview, Arya Said that STY wanted these players, Eliano and Mees Hilgers to join the national team as soon as possible. Because of that, PSSI made the naturalization process these players so fast.
“He asked us to process, Eliano and Hilgers, these players rapidly. So, we did it. You can see, we took their oaths in Belgium, not in Indonesia,” said Arta further.
Not only PSSI, but also the supporters were confused about it. Even it peaked number one trending in social media X. The supporters wondered a STY’s decision. They thought Eliano is better and should be there in the squad. Even there was an account which shared how good he is in a compilation video when he played in the club, PEC Zwolle.
Indonesian football pundit Binder Singh or known as Bung Binder also commented on his YouTube account. For him, Eliano is versatile player. He can take a role as a defensive player even a striker. Also he said he is a skillful player who can make a big impact to the team.
“I don't even know what happened. I know he is a new player in the team. but if i see how he plays in the club, he is good player. If he is not a starting line-up i think it is acceptable, but even he was not in the bench,” said Bung Binder on his YouTube account, Saturday, November 16th 2024.
He also thought that Eliano is better than Marselino and Witan. Furtherly, Indonesia need a calming player against Japan, and it was on Eliano. With his experiences in Europe he has an ability to do that.
As a reflect on this, Shin-Tae Yong answered this question in the post-match against Japan. He thought Eliano is still not good an fit to the squad. So, he does not called him to the team. “I think he was not fully good, it is still difficult for him to join the squad now. So, i decided it,” said STY in the press conference after the match against Japan, cited by Kompas, Monday, November 18th 2024.
