Arema FC Has a New Goal Predator to Replace Gustavo Almeida’s Role

GIANYAR – Charles Lokolingoy, appears as the new bomber Arema FC after Gustavo Almeida left. Charles Lokolingoy managed to become the focus of Singo Edan’s goals after losing Gustavo Almeida in the transfer market this half of the season, who moved to Persija Jakarta.

Charles Lokolingoy’s role while being coached by I Putu Gede, Joko Susilo, and Fernando Valente, was not too flashy in the 2023 – 2024 season. In fact, during the 24 matches played by Arema FC under three changing coaches, the player with an Australian passport only recorded two goals, from 18 matches played.

Under Fernando Valente, he was often a substitute or placed behind the striker at that time, Gustavo Almeida. As a result, Lokolingoy’s role was not very visible when Gustavo performed.

Even when Gustavo left, the team that was the pride of the Malang people actually brought in another foreign striker, namely Gilbert Alvarez in the center forward position. But unfortunately, while he was at Arema FC, the footballer from Bolivia didn’t immediately tune in, aka he wasn’t integrated with the team.

As a result, the 31 year old footballer has only played 7 matches and scored two goals so far. Things were different when Widodo Cahyono Putro appeared as the new coach who restored Charles Lokolingoy’s position and role.

This coach from Cilacap placed Lokolingoy as the target man up front, as a replacement for Gustavo Almeida. Widodo’s experiment has so far been successful, this 27 year old footballer has been able to score 4 goals in his last three matches. Even in the match against Persija Jakarta which ended 3 – 2, Lokolingoy also scored one.

Widodo was overjoyed, his experiments and trust in Lokolingoy were rewarded with a sweet performance. According to him, Lokolingoy is considered not a typical striker who runs a lot to the right or left. But when you control the ball in the opponent’s defense area, you can lure the opponent and open up space for other players, or convert it into an opportunity.

“I see the potential of Lokolingoy, so he is not the typical striker who runs a lot to the right, to the left, to the middle, no. He only controls in the box, then I see he has weapons to kill,” said Widodo, during the conference press before the match.

That’s why Widodo put Lokolingoy as a goal getter and target man up front. Moreover, with good ball control skills, it becomes an asset for Lokolingoy to destroy the opponent’s defense.