Shin Tae-yong Makes Sure Egy Maulana And Elkan Baggott Can Compete In The 2020 AFF Cup

Shin Tae-yong (Foto: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's national team coach Shin Tae-yong stated that Egy Maulana Vikri and Elkan Baggott could play in the 2020 AFF Cup which will take place from December 2021 in Singapore.

"Elkan and Egy have received permission (from the club) to play in the AFF Cup," said Shin after leading his squad's training at Field B Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Tuesday night.

Previously, it was reported that Egy and Elkan were not allowed to compete in the 2020 AFF Cup by their respective clubs, namely FK Senica in Slovakia and Ipswich Town in England.

This is because the 2020 AFF Cup does not take place on FIFA match day or FIFA match day.

"I'm confused about where the information (about Egy and Elkan not being allowed to the 2020 AFF Cup) came from," Shin said, as quoted by Antara.

Although not held on FIFA match day, the AFF Cup has actually been recognized by FIFA as a category A tournament since 2016.

That means, the teams that participate there will get points in the FIFA rankings if they win.

The names of Egy and Elkan are currently on the list of Indonesian national team players who are participating in the training camp (TC) for the 2020 AFF Cup preparations.

Both are projected to compete in FIFA international friendly matches against Afghanistan, Tuesday 16 November, and Myanmar, Thursday 25 November, in Turkey.

In the 2020 AFF Cup, Indonesia is in Group B with Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia.

Indonesia's inaugural match in the competition will take place on December 9, 2021, against Cambodia.

Next, Indonesia will face Laos on 12 December 2021, Vietnam three days later, and Malaysia on Sunday 19 December 2021.

All Indonesian national team matches are held at Bishan Stadium, Singapore. The 2020 AFF Cup was indeed held centrally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 AFF Cup Group A is inhabited by Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Timor Leste.