Andik Vermansyah credits Indonesia doctors for Selangor comeback in MSL
The Hari Raya festivities this weekend will mean double delight for Indonesia winger Andik Vermansyah, who is also celebrating a successful comeback to Selangor in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) after a long-term absence.
Andik suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for his nation in the AFF Suzuki final against Thailand last December, which would rule him out for almost five months.
The setback left Selangor with no choice but to drop him from their squad for the first half of the 2017 season.
But after great work from medical teams in Jakarta and in his hometown of Surabaya, the speedster was reinstated by Selangor in the mid-season transfer window.
Kesebelasan utama #RedGiants persahabatan bertemu Petaling Jaya Rangers malam ini di Stadium MBPJ
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"I have fully recovered from my injury, and am back to full fitness now," Andik told ESPN FC.
"My operation and rehabilitation were all done in Indonesia. My physicians are all there and they understood my condition well. I travelled between Surabaya and Jakarta for rehab, and their magical touch healed me."
Andik was in his element on Tuesday in Selangor's final friendly before the MSL resumes on July 1.
His searing run and cross set up Fitri Shazwan to power home a header to give Selangor a 3-0 win over PJ Rangers.
New Selangor striker Rufino Segovia also scored a brace in the comfortable victory.
After Selangor lost 2-0 to UiTM FC and 5-3 to Negeri Sembilan in their other two friendlies, Andik was beginning to see his partnership with Spain's Segovia and Liberian striker Francis Forkey Doe take shape.
Aksi perlawanan persahabatan menentang PJ Rangers semalam.
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"My combination with Rufino and Forkey Doe is certainly getting better. We still have to work on many areas because I have hardly played with them. But I believe in time, we can form a powerful combination," Andik said.
The 25-year-old also hopes to inspire Selangor to success in the Malaysia Cup, which begins on July 4.
He added: "I want to win the Malaysia Cup again, as I feel we always have a strong winning mentality when it comes to the competition. Of course I am not going to discount the league, but I feel we can do well in this competition."
The ex-Persebaya favourite was part of the Red Giants' side who clinched a 33rd Malaysia Cup in 2015 under Australian coach Mehmet Durakovic.
Selangor are in Group D in the 2017 edition, along with Johor Darul Ta'zim, Sarawak and Terengganu.
Before that, Selangor resume their league campaign with the visit of T-Team on July 1.
In the meantime, Andik will spend some quality family time back home for the holidays, with a clean bill of health.
"I will be heading home to spend time with my family. It will be a good break before I return revitalised for Selangor," he said.
The former Selangor skipper has played 68 MSL games since 2014, scoring 17 goals.
