Goalkeeper dies after colliding with teammate during Indonesian Super League match

An Indonesian goalkeeper has died after a collision with his teammate during the nation's Super League match on Sunday (Oct 15).

Choirul Huda, 38, had come out of his line to stop the ball and collided with defender Ramon Rodrigues and an opponent, reported The Guardian.

Rodrigues' knee had hit Huda in the face before cartwheeling over him. Huda tried to get up but slumped back towards the ground while clutching his mouth, reported ABC News.

Paramedics had rushed to his side to give him oxygen while he was stretchered off the field.

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"Huda was conscious and complained of chest pain before passing out," said a medical officer as quoted by Indonesian newsportal Surya in the New Straits Times report.

In a statement released on the website of his club, Persela FC, Dr Yudistiro Andri Nugroho of Dr Soegiri Lamongan hospital said Huda had suffered "impacts on the chest and lower jaw", reported BBC.

The collision caused Huda to stop breathing and resulted in a cardiac arrest.

"He was still breathing when he was brought to hospital," Dr Zaki Mubarok from the same hospital told Kompas in the New Straits Times report, adding the death was due to trauma to the head and neck.

The incident happened towards the end of the first half match against Semen Padang at Surajaya Stadium in the village of Sidorejo, in Lamongan, East Java, reported the New Straits Times.

The game continued after Huda was rushed to hospital with Persela beating Semen Padang 2-0.

Persela said thousands of fans attended a candlelight vigil for the club legend, who made 503 appearances for the so-called Joko Tingkir Warriors, reported ABC News.

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"Thank you for the endless dedication and inspiration for Persela, Lamongan and Indonesian football," the club said in a post on Instagram.

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Huda had played for Persela since 1999. The club described him as "the Real Legend of Persela" in a tribute on Twitter.

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spanaech@sph.com.sg