Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –
Young attacker Persija Jakarta Taufik Hidayat paid off the trust of coach Sudirman who was considered to have implemented a strange strategy when he beat Persib Bandung in the first leg of the final Menpora Cup 2021 at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, Thursday (22/4).
Sudirman surprisingly lowered Taufik as a starter in the final first leg. The 21-year-old striker is believed to replace Marko Simic, whose appearance declined ahead of the final match against Persib.
Sudirman’s trust was paid in full by Taufik by creating one goal and one assist. This is Taufik’s first goal with Persija’s senior team. The former Sriwijaya FC player also thanked Sudirman for his trust.
“I say Thank God we can win in this match. I am very grateful to the coach [Sudirman] because in this final I was given the opportunity to be able to play. And Alhamdulilah, I was able to score goals, “said Taufik as quoted from the official website of the New Indonesia League.
Taufik is aware that his chance to start Persija is very small considering Simic’s presence as the main striker. For this reason, the opportunity given by Sudirman was not wasted by Taufik. The match against Persib is Taufik’s debut in the 2021 Menpora Cup.
“The point is I work at Persija. I have to prove 100 percent worthy of being in this team. Don’t be complacent so that the future will be even better,” said Taufik.
“Of course this match is extraordinary for my experience. Hopefully it will be better in the future, especially in the second leg later,” continued the striker who was born in Bandung, West Java.
Meanwhile, the Persija coach, Sudirman, said that the first leg of the Menpora Cup final was the right moment to provide opportunities for young players.
“Indeed, we have young players who have the potential to develop. But we also have to look at the frequency of matches, the peak performance of senior players. If the senior players are not in good form we will provide opportunities for young players,” said Sudirman.
The second leg of the 2021 Menpora Cup final Persib vs Persija will be held at Stadio Manahan, Solo, Sunday (25/4).
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