NOBARTV NEWS – After gushing Indonesian National team U-20 in TC in Europe, STY immediately flew to England to meet the management of the Gillingham FC club. There, the South Korean coach negotiated regarding the possibility of Elkan Baggott being able to defend the Indonesian national team in AFF Cup 2022.
It is known that Baggott is one of the overseas players who has also been called up (again) to take part in the 2022 AFF Cup. Previously, Shin Tae-yong's mainstay center back also participated in the previous edition. In fact, in the 2020 AFF Cup, Elkan also scored one goal in the group stage when he met his rival Malaysia. At that time, Garuda Indonesia successfully crushed Malaysia 4-1.
And now, STY needs him again. In fact, not only Baggott, all the core Indonesian national team players are also called Shin without exception. STY wants to repay the mistakes he made in the previous edition. As is known, at the 2020 AFF Cup yesterday, Elkan Baggott et al almost won their first title – but unfortunately, they bowed to Thailand in the final.
On that basis, Shin moved quickly after doing TC with young Garuda. The former South Korean national team coach immediately rushed to England to meet the management of the Gillingham FC club.
On his trip to England, Shin was accompanied by one of his assistants. At the club nicknamed The Gills, Shin was immediately greeted by Elkan and also the manager Neil Harris. In fact, STY took the time to attend a match played by Gillingham.
"Going to London from Spain to watch Elkan's away game on the 22nd," wrote STY on his social media account.
"As well as a visit and meeting with the Elkan team (Gillingham FC) regarding the call-up to the national team for the AFF Cup on the 23rd," he added.
After the meeting, Neil Harris explained the results of the meeting he had with Shin. For your information, Shin is currently in Belgium for the same purpose. Namely persuading KV Mechelen to let Sandy Walsh go to appear in the 2022 AFF Cup.
“There's no UEFA/FIFA window coming up until March, although obviously we have the World Cup at the moment,” Harris said.
Harris said, if PSSI wants to use Elkan's services, then he (PSSI) must also discuss it with Ipswich. Because Ipswich is Baggott's main club. At Gillingham, Baggott is only a loan player and will return to the League One club at the end of this season.
“Elkan is our player, if he is called up by his national team then discussions will always be held with him and Ipswich, as his parent club.”
“We really respect that,” emphasized Neil Harris.
For your information, the 2022 AFF Cup will clash with several matches played by Gillingham. In fact, a few days before the 2022 AFF Cup starts, The Gills will meet Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last 16 of the League Cup. Considering that the AFF Cup is not an official FIFA agenda, Neil said the club has the right to refuse if its players receive a call from their national team.
“We are aware of the Southeast Asian tournament (meaning the AFF) over the Christmas and New Year period and discussions will be held with Ipswich and Elkan.”
"But in the end the club does not have to let go of the player," he concluded.
It's complicated 😤
Threatened without Elkan Baggot in the AFF cup
Even though last year he performed well at AFF
Elkan Baggot is a loan player from Ipswich Town
AFF is not on FIFA's agenda
Clubs have the right not to release their players