The Still High Transmission Of COVID-19 In Spain, The U-19 National Team Was 'Forced' To Go Home Tomorrow

Illustration (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - PSSI ensured that the U-19 national team returned early from Spain, where they had their training camp (TC), because they could not do trial matches there following the high transmission of COVID-19.

Quoted by Antara from the PSSI official website, Tuesday, the U-19 national team will return to Indonesia on Wednesday, January 13. Previously, coach Shin Tae-yong's squad was scheduled to be in Spain until January 31, 2021.

"This decision was taken after we communicated with coach Shin Tae-yong and Technical Director Indra Sjafri," said PSSI acting secretary general Yunus Nusi.

Yunus added that the Spanish government did not issue permits for all U-19 national team trial matches in Spain. Not only Indonesia, the Saudi Arabia U-19 national team who are also in Spain cannot compete in trials.

PSSI, he continued, respects this decision.

"We respect the decision of the local government. We also cannot force it to stay long in Spain. PSSI is also grateful to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for helping us to undergo TC in Spain," said Yunus.

The man who is also a member of the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) did not forget to appreciate all the efforts made by the U-19 national team in Spain.

Although the 2021 U-20 World Cup was postponed to 2023, PSSI ensured that the U-19 national team was prepared to fill the U-23 or senior national team slot.

"Entering the third week of TC Spain, I received an update that the players continued to develop, be disciplined and work hard. Of course this is a very good thing and a provision for them to become professional players later and the next generation of the U-23 national team or the senior national team," said Yunus. .

The U-19 national team is scheduled to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, on Thursday, January 14.