Players from New York are being targeted by U-23 national team. Why would he want to release a U.S. passport?
James Zaidan Saragih, currently holds a United States passport. However, the 19-year-old player was called the National Team Agency (BTN) All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) to follow the national team selection (national team) U-23 to the projection Pre 2012 Olympic Games and SEA Games in 2011.
James is a player born in New York, March 23, 1991. He is playing for the club New York Cosmos, it is not a newcomer to the football stage homeland. Bald-headed man with the stature
180 cm had been undergoing tests at the U-21 team in March 2010 Persebaya ago.Unfortunately, James hampered step administrative problems. Status of United States citizens are not allowed to compete in the Indonesia Super League (ISL), U-21 which does not maintain a quota for foreign players.
Now James returned to Indonesia to follow the national team selection. But the chance to wear red and white costume certainly was not easy because the 19-year-old players must compete with other players.
Why James interested in playing with red and white national team and how his chances to pass the selection? Here are excerpts of an interview after practice on Field VIVAnews.com ABC, Senayan, Friday, January 7, 2011.
Today you still hold the U.S. passport?
True, until recently I was still holding U.S. passports. Both of my parents (Nazaruddin Saragih and Artita) is an Indonesian. Both have lived and worked in the U.S. for over 20 years. But because I was born in New York, USA, I am entitled to pocket the United States passport.
Can you speak Indonesian?
I still understand that listening to people speak Bahasa Indonesian, but to talk with my Indonesian is not fluent.
Is this not an obstacle for you now follow the selection?
In the field, we just run instruction coach and I do not experience problems when communicating with coaches. Other players also follow the same instructions, so we are not difficult to understand one another while playing.
How do you get through the selection of U-23 national team?
Initially, I once spoke to someone from Indonesia named Ian Rajagukguk. He lived in Jakarta and knew a lot about football in Indonesia. He then spoke to Faith Arif (Deputy Technical Board of the National Team PSSI). Subsequently I was contacted by Faith Arif and asked me to send my resume. After I sent my resume, they (BTN) asked me to participate in the selection. I decided to come to Jakarta.
What drives you want to defend the Indonesian national team. What was promised when it asks you to go PSSI selection?
Indonesia is the country my parents. Therefore I want this team (national team) could be better again. PSSI not promise anything. I still have to show my best ability to get into the national team. I am willing to become a citizen of Indonesia when I pass the selection and given the opportunity to strengthen the U-23 national team.
Can be told why you can choose to be a footballer?
Since childhood, I really like soccer, so did my parents. One time I was invited by my father to a park to play football. Several coaches came to me, and told interested in how I play, and they say are willing to train me to be able to perform better.
At age 8 I got into football academy in New York. Now, I play for the club New York Cosmos with a position as an attacking midfielder.
You are not the only foreign player of Indonesian descent who are called to follow U-23 national team selection. Are you sure you want to call to strengthen national team U-23?
I am only one of many players who participated in the U-23 national team selection. Today I still can not show my best ability because it is still jetlag. But the selection is still there in two days. I will try to give the best. After that, my decision to leave the coach alone.
What do you want to accomplish with the Indonesian national team?
Of course now I want to strengthen Indonesia in the Pre Olympics in 2012 and appeared in the SEA Games in 2011. After that, I also want to enter the senior team and strengthen Indonesia in various tournaments and I want to win championships with the Indonesian national team.
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Bios
Name: James Zaidan Saragih
Birth: New York, March 23, 1991
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Club: New York Cosmos
Position: Midfielder Attack
Father: Nazaruddin Saragih
Mother: Artita
