INDONESIA RECALLED FORMER DEFENDER

Hamka Hamzah

Indonesia have recalled defender Hamka Hamzah and included striker Christian Gonzales in their plans for the first time ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup starting tomorrow.

Hamzah has been rewarded for a bright start to the season with Persipura Jayapura while Gonzales, a Uruguayan national, has opted to play for Indonesia after going through a naturalisation programme. Gonzales adds more firepower to a line-up that includes regular strikers Bambang Pamungkas and Boaz Solossa. 




He began his professional career in Indonesia in 2003 and made an immediate impact by topping the scoring table with 27 goals while helping PSM Makassar to a second-place finish in the league. Currently, he plays for Persib Bandung. 

Cristian Gonzales

The Indonesians, who have never won the Asean Championship will host neighbours Malaysia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium tomorrow in the opening match. Also in the group is three time champions Thailand and Laos. 


Indonesia's preliminary squad: 


Goalkeepers: Markus Horison (Persib Bandung), Ferry Rotinsulu (Sriwijaya FC), Kurnia Meiga (Arema Indonesia), Made Wirawan (Persiba Balikpapan) 



Defenders: Zulkifly Syukur (Arema), Benny Wahyudi (Arema), Ricardo Salampessy (Persipura), Nova Arianto, Maman Abdurahman (Persib), Hamka Hamzah (Persipura), Yesaya Desnam (Persiwa), M Roby (Persisam), M Nasuha (Persija), Slamet Riyadi (Persela), M Ridwan (Sriwijaya) 



Midfielders: Arif Suyono (Sriwijaya), Tony Sucipto (Persija), Firman Utina (Sriwijaya), Eka Ramdani (Persib), Ahmad Bustomi (Arema), Hariono (Persib), Johan Juansyah (Persijap), Oktovianus Maniani (Sriwijaya), Oktavianus (Persija) 



Forwards: Christian Gonzales (Persib), Irfan Bachdim (Persema), Bambang Pamungkas (Persija), Yongki Aribowo (Arema), Budi Sudarsono (Sriwijaya)