Elkan Baggott Doesn't See The Results Of The Indonesian National Team Trial, Focuses On The 2023 Asian Cup

Elkan Baggott appeared in all test matches of the Indonesian national team (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team has conducted three trials in the training camp (TC) for the preparation of the 2023 Asian Cup.

The Garuda squad lost twice to Libya with a score of 0-4 and 1-2 on January 2 and 5, 2024. Finally, Shin Tae-yong's team lost 0-5 to Iran at the Al Rayyan Sports Club, Doha, Qatar, Tuesday (9/1/2024).

Elkan Baggott is one of the players who appeared in the three matches. He emphasized that he learned many valuable lessons, especially when facing Iran.

"Once again, we got a game that could be a lesson. We played some interesting games, but unfortunately we conceded again for an easy goal," Elkan said.

The lesson that Elkan meant was not about results, but the overall team game. No wonder, he still put forward optimism when the Indonesian national team competed in the 2023 Asian Cup.

"The results of the match may not reflect how the game goes. These are 90 minutes that are a lesson for many players. So, we know we have to be ready and fit in the first match of (the 2023 Asian Cup)."

"Of course we are still optimistic. We don't see the results of today's match (trial). We're just looking at how we practice what we've trained to face our first match (in the 2023 Asian Cup."

"So, the whole team is still trying together and still optimistic about the tournament," said the defender of Ipswich Town.

The Indonesian national team will face Iraq in the inaugural match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup on January 15, 2024.

The Garuda squad then met Vietnam (19/1/2024) and finally fought Japan (24/1/2024).

Meanwhile, the Indonesian national team has undergone a training camp for preparations for the 2023 Asian Cup since December 20, 2023 in Turkey. They switched TC in Qatar from January 7, 2024.