Erick Thohir hopes Mitchell Baker bolsters Indonesia's forward line
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir expressed high hopes for Mitchell Baker to strengthen the Indonesian national team's forward line.
- Baker scored three goals in his debut match against Cambodia, contributing to Indonesia's 5-1 victory.
- Thohir noted Baker's physical advantage, particularly his height, as a key asset for aerial play and a solution to the team's striker depth issues.
Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir has placed significant expectations on Mitchell Baker to bolster the depth of the Indonesian national team's attacking force. This optimism follows Baker's impressive debut performance against Cambodia, where he netted three goals in Indonesia's commanding 5-1 win.
Thohir views Baker's presence as a crucial answer to the team's long-standing weakness in the striker position, which has heavily relied on Ole Romeny. "Hopefully, we now have a strengthened striker position. One of our team's weaknesses has been our thinness at striker. Until now, we've depended on Ole," Thohir stated.
Hopefully, we now have a strengthened striker position. One of our team's weaknesses has been our thinness at striker. Until now, we've depended on Ole.
A key advantage Baker brings, according to Thohir, is his physical stature. Standing at approximately 1.97 meters, Baker possesses the height ideal for receiving crosses with headers, a skill he demonstrated effectively in his debut. Two of his three goals originated from headers, both assisted by Thom Haye. Thohir also praised Baker's mobility, commenting, "Mitchell, I think, has the height we need, 197 centimeters, and his mobility was also good today. Hopefully, he provides depth at striker."
This victory temporarily places Indonesia third in Group A with three points, trailing Singapore (six points) and Vietnam (three points). Indonesia's next match is scheduled against Timor Leste in Thailand on Friday, July 31st.
Mitchell, I think, has the height we need, 197 centimeters, and his mobility was also good today. Hopefully, he provides depth at striker.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.