Death is something that cannot be avoided by anyone, including footballers . Only, because this sport is closely related to physical contact, not a few players have died during the match.
Several world footballers died while defending their team on the field. Marc-Vivien Foe, for example, had a heart attack and breathed his last when he appeared in the Cameroon national team uniform.
Long before that, there was Andres Escobar, a Colombian defender who died from being shot by Humberto Castro Munoz, a bodyguard and private driver for brothers Pedro David and Juan Santiago Gallon Henao, a criminal duo involved in a drug cartel network in Colombia.
Escobar’s tragic death was caused by an own goal he scored at the 1994 World Cup against the United States. Humberto Castro Munoz is known to have admitted to being a suspect at the behest of his two bosses.
Football is not always about the joy of a team’s success in becoming a champion or the achievement of personal titles for its players. Football is like a drama of life. Sometimes it feels sad, where the people who live in it experience the ups and downs of life.
Bola.com invites readers to remember the sad stories of the death of a number of Indonesian soccer` actors from various eras. Hopefully the tragic events experienced by some of them can become life lessons.
Choirul Huda
Sunday (15/10/2017) evening, Persela Lamongan goalkeeper, Choirul Huda suddenly died while playing. The 38-year-old goalkeeper was declared dead after receiving treatment at the Dr Soegiri Regional General Hospital, Lamongan at 17.15 WIB. The help was given after the Persela captain suffered a clash in the match against Semen Padang.
Choirul Huda had to be taken to the Dr Soegiri Regional Hospital after colliding with his teammate, Ramon Rodrigues, during the Persela match against Semen Padang in the 2017 League 1 competition continued at the Surajaya Stadium, Lamongan, Sunday afternoon.
The clash between the two occurred when Ramon and Choirul Huda tried to secure the ball which was directed by the Semen Padang players into the penalty box in the first half. Choirul Huda who tries to catch the ball is hit by Ramon’s foot.
Choirul Huda and Persela were inseparable. The player has been the main goalkeeper at the club since 2002. Even though he is currently 38 years old, the original Lamongan goalkeeper is often the first choice, regardless of the coach.
Huda is almost without a competitor under Persela’s goal. He became the main choice because of his qualified abilities and also the original product of the Jaka Tingkir Laskar Team. Choirul Huda is listed as the most loyal player in Persela. He has never been to another club since starting his professional career at Persela in 1999. Never mind moving, being interested in defending another club did not even occur to him.
Eri’s sudden death shocked many. This is because the player who was born in Sidoarjo, January 12, 1974, is currently at the peak of his career. He was a customer for the Indonesian National Team for the period 1995-1997. He is one of the few players in the position of local midfielder who can exist in the Indonesian football event.
At that time, the majority of clubs preferred to empower foreign playmakers from Latin America and Africa. Eri stuck out with Fachri Husaini and Ansyari Lubis, who were said to be the best attack managers Indonesia had in the mid-1990s to early 2000s.
To honor Eri’s services for the Bajul Ijo Team, the Persebaya mes in the Karanganyam area was later named Wisma Eri Irianto. The 19 jersey number worn by the long-haired player has been retired until now.
Eri actually started his career at Petrokimia Putra in the 1994-1995 season. Having joined the Malaysian club Kuala Lumpur FA, Eri then moved to Persebaya with the achievements of the 1998-1999 Indonesian League runner-up
