Persija Jakarta’s head coach, Ivan Kolev, has issued a statement in defense of his decision to include striker Marko Simic in the team’s recent Asian Champions League qualifier match against Newcastle. This follows Simic’s recent legal issues surrounding alleged assault charges, which occurred just hours before the game.
The 31-year-old player, Simic, appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday morning to face accusations of common assault and an act of indecency during an international flight to Sydney. Subsequently, the case was adjourned, and he was released on conditional bail, with one of the conditions being the surrender of his passport.
Despite the controversy, Simic played the entire match against the Jets in Persija’s 3-1 extra-time loss at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday night. Although he played a key role in the team’s attack, his impact was minimal, resulting in Persija finishing at 1-1 at full-time and ultimately being eliminated from the competition in extra-time.
During the match, Simic faced a hostile crowd in Newcastle, with fans booing him every time he touched the ball and cheering when he lost possession. When asked about the effect of Simic’s situation on the team’s readiness for the match, Kolev, after consulting his team’s media manager, stated, “I can’t talk about Marko, only how he played.” He further added, “Marko, it was tough for him because of the situation. He also worked very hard on the pitch to help the team, and he’s really, really good.”
Regarding the decision to include Simic in the game, Kolev explained, “The decision is mine and Marko’s. We talked with him, and it’s better that he played than to dwell on the situation.”
Despite the loss, the Jets have earned the right to face defending champions Kashima Antlers in Japan for a spot in the ACL group stage next Tuesday night.
It is important to note that this information was obtained from the Australian Associated Press, and readers are encouraged to sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news.
In conclusion, it is clear from Kolev’s statements that the decision to play Simic was carefully considered, and the coach stood by his player even amidst the off-field controversy. This reflects the coach’s confidence in Simic’s abilities as a player and his willingness to support him during a challenging time.
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