Changing The Persib Guard

After years of failing to achieve success Persib have acted ruthlessly, culling much from last season's squad.

Out have gone Christian Gonzales, Hilton Moreira, Markus Horison, Nova Arianto, Isnan Ali, Siswanto and Rachmat Affandi among others.

In have come Nasuha, Tony Sucipto, M Ilham and Aliyudin; all from bitter rivals Persija. They joining Abanda Herman and Atep who have previously worn the orange or Persija while experienced for Indonesia international Jendri Pitoy has, perhaps surprisingly, been given a second wind with a big team 12 months after leaving Persipura.

Eka Ramdani and Hariono remain in the middle with Atep on the wing.

I'm a bit surprised Rachmat Affandi (Pictured with finger in air playing for PSMS) has failed to settle. He was previously with Arema and PSMS and seems to be one of these players who always falls in the pecking order behind a foreign import or an older, more established player. Maybe he's just crap or maybe he's indicative of Indonesian football's reluctance to give youth its head.