PAPUA – Fast winger from Papua, Yakob Sayuri, continues to steal the spotlight in the world of Indonesian football. His work as a winger for the Indonesian national team was not only highlighted in the 2022 AFF Cup, but also in various international and domestic matches. His explosive performance led Yakob to become one of coach Shin Tae Yong’s top choices in the Indonesian national team formation.
Yakob Sayuri’s journey began in the Yapen Islands region of Papua. Despite not going through formal education at a soccer academy, Yakob managed to record brilliant achievements. His career skyrocketed since joining several big Indonesian clubs and finally uniformed the Indonesian national team.
With his current club, PSM Makassar, Yakob continues to show consistent quality on the pitch. His influence is not only felt at the club, but also in every match with the national team, especially when scoring goals in several important matches. Check out Yakob Sayuri’s full profile and career journey in the following article.
Yakob Sayuri’s Career in Football
Yakob Sayuri was born on September 22, 1997 in Yapen Islands, Papua. From a young age, he showed great interest in soccer despite not having the opportunity to join a formal soccer school. His skills were honed in local matches which later caught the attention of one of the former national players, Eduard Ivakdalam.
In 2017, Yakob joined Persewar Waropen, an Indonesian League 3 club, which became the starting point of his professional career. A year later, he moved to Persemi Mimika with Eduard Ivakdalam and began to stand out as a player with qualified skills. In 2018, Yakob’s name was increasingly recognized and was finally glimpsed by the League 1 club, Barito Putra.
His success at Barito Putra made him more mature. According to the coach at the time, Jacksen F. Tiago, “Yakob’s playing style reminds me of a great talent from Papua.” Yakob managed to score two goals in 25 matches, which strengthened his position in the national soccer competition.
Yakob Sayuri’s achievements in the Indonesian national team
Apart from the Merlion Cup, Yakob Sayuri has also been an important part of various tournaments, including the 2022 AFF Cup. Although Indonesia has not won the title, Yakob’s contribution as a wing forward is very meaningful. His speed often troubled the opposing defense, making him increasingly relied upon by the national team.
At the international level, Yakob is growing, and now he often gets a place in the starting line-up of the Senior National Team. His impressive actions, especially in terms of finishing and shooting accuracy, bring a breath of fresh air to the Indonesian squad.
