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Jakarta Post

Indonesian soccer legend Ricky Yacobi dies at 57

News of the famed striker's death first circulated in a WhatsApp broadcast message.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sat, November 21, 2020

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Indonesian soccer legend Ricky Yacobi dies at 57 Indonesian soccer legend Ricky Yacobi (center) plays in a match in this file photo. The noted striker, who helped the national soccer team won its first-ever gold medal at the 1987 SEA Games, died on Saturday. (Kompas.com/File)

Legendary national soccer player Ricky Yacobi died on Saturday at the Mintoharjo Hospital in Central Jakarta. He was 57.

News of the famed striker's death first circulated in a WhatsApp broadcast message.

“Innalillaihi wainnailaihi rojiun [We belong to God and to God we shall return]. Our friend and national soccer team player bang Ricki Yacobi has passed away at the Mintoharjo Hospital. Let’s pray that the deceased died in a state of husnul khotimah [a good ending],” the message read.

Former U-23 coach Rahmad Darmawan later confirmed Ricky's death.

Ricky reportedly had a heart attack while playing soccer at the Senayan Soccer Field in Central Jakarta. He was taken to the Mintoharjo Hospital by his teammates where he was declared dead.

Born in Medan, North Sumatra, on March 12, 1963, Ricky started his professional soccer career playing for PSMS Medan from 1979 until 1985.

He then played for the Arseto Solo soccer club from 1986 to 1991.

In 1988, Ricky was recruited by Japanese soccer team Matsuhita, now called Gamba Osaka, in the Japanese Football League (J-League).

Ricky was one of the players representing Indonesia with the national U-23 team at various international leagues from 1985 to 1990. He was most noted for leading the national soccer team that won gold at the 1987 Southeast Asian Games held in Jakarta, the first-ever gold medal won by the team. (ami)

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