Indra Sjafri Gives Reasons Not To Choose Arkhan Kaka To Enter The U-20 Indonesian National Team

JAKARTA - The U-20 Indonesian national team coach, Indra Sjafri, explained the reason for not choosing Arkhan Kaka to be included in the squad for the 2025 U-20 Asian Cup Qualification.

The U-20 Indonesian national team will undergo the 2025 U-20 Asian Cup Qualification on 25-29 September 2024 at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta. For that agenda, Indra Sjafri has summoned 23 players.

From the official list that has been released, there is no name of Arkan Kaka. Related to this, Indra Sjafri explained that the decision was taken after discussing with the coaching team and analyzing the player's performance data.

Indra agreed that this opportunity was given to 2005-born players considering that 2007-born players like Kaka still have a chance to appear in the next tournament.

"There are also four stakeholders, Jens Raven, Muhammad Ragil, Ousmane Camara, and Kaka. I discussed with the team, analyzed, collected all the data, finally we decided to give the opportunity that was born in 2005," said Indra Sjafri during a press conference on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Apart from Kaka, another player who missed defending Garuda Muda on this agenda was Welber Jardim. The Brazilian player is reportedly not present even though he has received a call from Indra Sjafri.

Even though he crossed out Kaka, Indra did not completely close the door for the player to appear in the 2025 U-20 Asian Cup which will be held in China. Kans Kaka was called to the squad still open, but with a note that the Garuda Muda squad managed to qualify for the qualifying round.

"Will Kaka be called again after this? We will see the progress of the player. The player is big at the club, we will see the progress," he said.

Indonesia U-20 will start an adventure to get tickets to the 2025 U-20 Asian Cup finals by meeting the U-20 Maldives on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Two days later, Garuda Muda will challenge Timor Leste U-20.

Meanwhile, the final match against Yemen U-20 will be scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 29, 2024. All matches will be held at the Madya Stadium, Senayan.