Photogallery
Michael Krmenčík with Daniel Smejkal (left), from the company IFM-M, which represents the attacker, and with Ali Feras (right), the company’s partner for exotic countries.
Photo: Persija Jakarta
—
How were the first days in Jakarta?
–
I have to say that the welcome was fantastic. Around a hundred fans were waiting for me at the airport, chanting my name and club chants. I have yet to see the team, he was at the President’s Cup. Ondra Kúdela and I train individually, we have plans from the B-level coaches. I know from the guy who drives us that we are full of media in Jakarta.
–
He told us that we had been covered in the local media all week and would be for days to come. But I have to trust him, I don’t even know where to buy a newspaper yet. (laughs)
–
You feel that the club will rely a lot on you and Kúdela?
–
Probably yes. Two European guys who played in the Champions League came for the national team. We have to set an example for our teammates so that they can grow alongside us. For them, the highlight is to get an engagement in Europe.
–
You, on the other hand, left Europe. Why did you choose Indonesia?
–
It was an offer that simply could not be refused. There is no need to add more to this.
–
What other offers did you have on the table?
–
Croatia’s Rijeka, but that was out of the question. Then Nuremberg, a return to PAOK Thessaloniki was also in play. And Pilsen too.
–
For Viktoria fans, you are an undesirable person after the well-known autumn incident in the mutual duel in Eden. Was the return to Pilsen really close?
–
I have no problem with Mr. Šádek (note – the owner of Viktoria), I never had one. We sat down for coffee as two friends, we talked about everything. Mr. Šádek and I have a clean table.
–
Did you apologize to him for the incident?
–
I sprinkled ashes on my head. He told me I was an idiot and we shook hands. (laughs) We told each other things straight, even though we didn’t come to an agreement in the end. But football is unpredictable. Now Honza Kuchta came to Sparta, which hardly anyone could have predicted.
–
But after the event in Eden, it seemed that Pilsen was forever forbidden to you. So do you agree that you will return to the Doosan Arena in the future?
–
Now I’m in Indonesia, I have a contract in Persia for three years. But I’m only twenty-nine, so returning to Pilsen is possible. We’ll see.
–
What is the position of Persia in Indonesia?
–
Historically, this is the most successful club in the country. It has a status like Sparta or Slavia in the Czech Republic. Persija has several million fans all over Indonesia. The club has the highest goals, it certainly does not want to flounder in the middle of the table. On the contrary, he wants to secure the Asian Champions League.
–
Did you find out what the attendance of the first league is?
–
Persia recently played a friendly match, it was full. So twenty thousand viewers. The club sent a request to the Football Association to be able to play home matches at the national stadium. Ninety thousand spectators can fit there. They say we’ll sell it out easily. Football is simply the clear number one in Indonesia, although basketball and swimming are also popular.
–
Does the facilities and housing correspond to Persia’s ambitions?
–
We have a practice pitch with artificial grass. Next to the stadium are areas with natural grass, where children from the club’s academy usually train. To sum it up, the playgrounds we have are enough. As far as housing is concerned, we are currently in a hotel. We should be moving into apartments within a week. They are in the complex where the European members of the implementation team live, including coach Doll. Most of them also have small children, a family environment awaits us there.
–
Are you getting used to a different climate and a lot of people in the streets?
–
You will probably never get used to this climate. Just walk outside for a while and you’re durch, the humidity is huge. I’m slowly getting used to the traffic. In Prague, I cursed when I stood in line for ten minutes. In Jakarta, I stand still for ten minutes, then drive five meters. But the local people are cool, nobody swears, they are not aggressive. On the contrary, they are polite to each other, they respect each other. I’m really excited about it. This is a very positive change compared to the Czech Republic.
–
Michael Krmenčík in the shirt of Slavia PraguePhoto: Vlastimil Vacek, The law
For Europeans, Indonesia is more of a popular tourist destination than a country of football promise. Have you visited, for example, the popular Bali in the past?
–
Before we had kids, the furthest my wife and I went was Dubai. We flew there regularly. But Bali was on our list of places we would like to visit sometime. If there is a league break, maybe we will go to Bali. The flight takes only an hour and a half from Jakarta. It’s a short distance, like from Prague to London.
–
However, Indonesia is out of hand, and the league there is not an elite competition. Aren’t you afraid that you will lose sight of the national team coach Šilhavé?
–
I have no problem with coach Šilhavy, he calls me before every meeting. Even though I didn’t play in Slavia. He will definitely follow me.
—
