The 2023 SEA Games Are In Sight, Why Hasn't Indra Sjafri Determined The U-22 Indonesian National Team Framework?

The U-22 Indonesian national team for the 2023 SEA Games. (Photo: Twitter @pssi)

JAKARTA The U-22 Indonesian National Team Coach Indra Sjafri stated the reason for not determining the framework of his squad to be brought to the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.

The Garuda squad has played a total of three test matches so far. However, there are still seven players who have not joined so that the determination of the team's framework is still postponed.

"That's all until now not yet joined. Of course the actual team framework, for which 20 of our players have not been able to determine," said Indra after the trial against Lebanon, Sunday, April 16, 2023.

Indra Sjafri's troops previously planned to play another trial against the local team in the middle of this week. However, the trial has been confirmed to be canceled so they will only hold internal games.

Indra said the team framework that will be brought to Cambodia will be determined after the internal game, Tuesday, April 18. This means that he has ten days between April 19 and 29.

"Teamwork after the internal game. So, April 19 to 29. There are ten days we will start forming a team in its entirety which will be prepared against the Philippines and the framework of the team," said Indra.

At the SEA Games later, Indonesia will be included in Group A with Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Cambodia as the host in the Southeast Asian region for two years.

Indonesia will start its journey in the group phase against the Philippines, Saturday, April 29. Following that, Indonesia will face Myanmar (May 4) in a row, Timor Leste (May 7), and Cambodia (May 10).

In this biennial event, Garuda troops have fasted for the gold medal in football for 32 years. The last time Indonesia won was the SEA Games Manila 1991.