JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Persija Jakarta winger, Riko Simanjuntak, selected Player of the Month in April version of the Indonesian Professional Players Association (APPI). Riko was entitled to a tour prize to Europe and visit the Barcelona headquarters, Camp Nou Stadium.
Riko Simanjuntak was selected as the best after winning four other candidates, Ezechiel N'douassel (Persib Bandung), Douglas Packer (Barito Putera), Ian Louis Kabes (Persipura), and Fernando Rodriguez (Mitra Kukar).
"I was surprised, did not think I could be the best player because I know many players in Indonesia are more qualified than me," said Riko told BolaSport.com on Wednesday (9/5/2018).
The panelist team of APPI namely Milky Way, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, Ponaryo Astaman, and Firman Utina, chose Riko because of his slick game with Persija Jakarta.
APPI General Manager, Ponaryo Astaman, said he did not know when Riko will go to Barcelona because the 2018 League 1 competition is so solid.
Ponaryo said, could Riko leave at the break of League 1 2018 at the 2018 Asian Games or after the competition.
The winners, said Ponaryo, are welcome to choose which stadium they want to go. They will be in Europe for at least five days.