Gelora and Chilean players

After signing one midfielder and one striker from Chile, Gelora Putra Delta (GPD) now adds another libero from the same country. The name of the new libero is Gonzalo Tapia, aged 25, and though he was in the substitute list in Gelora's match yesterday (3/8), he wasn't substituted in by the coach. It's understandable.

Tapia just arrived in the city two days before, and one could see the tiredness on his face. He was brought by Nelson Sanchez, a former Chilean player who used to play for Persma Manado but has now retired and works as Chilean players' agent.

Gonzalo Tapia is an alumnus of Colo Colo, perhaps the most famous club in Chile. In his old club, Tapia played as defender or libero, and that's where he will play in GPD.

"I saw during the match that this club (GPD) is pretty good. I hope that I will be able to contribute something significant to the club," said Tapia, as translated by Nelson Sanchez.

Tapia will be the third Chilean to play for GPD this season. The other two are midfielder Christian Munizaga and striker Fernando Guadarjo. And just like many other clubs and their foreign players, neither GPD nor Tapia and Sanchez is willing to reveal his contract money.

The hiring of all these foreign guns is, obviously, intended for one purpose and one purpose only: to lift GPD's position from the bottom of the standings. GPD is currently placed 13th in the Eastern Conference, just one strip above bottom-placed Persipura Jayapura.

"I hope I'll be able to adjust well and quickly with my friends here in the club. I hope I'll be able to give good results to the team," added Tapia.

from: Jawa Pos Online