PSSI Speaks Up About Saddil Ramdani's Deletion From The Indonesian National Team Squad For The 2023 Asian Cup

Saddil Ramdani was not included in the Indonesian national team squad for the 2023 Asian Cup (Instagram/@saddilramdani).

JAKARTA - PSSI through the Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN), Sumardji, finally gave an explanation regarding Saddil Ramdani's deletion from the list of Indonesian national team players for the 2023 Asian Cup.

The deletion of Saddil Ramdani's name is known from information from the latest squad distributed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on its official website on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

After the last test match against Iran on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Shin Tae-yong as head coach of the Garuda Squad seems to be starting to find composition for the team. Therefore, changes in the squad are still happening.

In exchange for Saddil Ramdani who was crossed out, Adam Alis' name was included in the list. In fact, previously Adam Alis and Arkhan Fikri were not included in the list of 26 early players who were officially handed over to the AFC on January 1, 2024.

Regarding this situation, Sumardji said that Saddil's replacement with Adam Alis was a decision taken according to the consideration of head coach Shin Tae-yong.

"Saddil Ramdani was replaced by Adam Alis. So, Saddil and Arkhan are not included in the squad that will appear in the 2023 Asian Cup. This is based on the consideration of coach Shin Tae-yong," said Sumardji in a statement received Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Furthermore, Sumardji also revealed that the head coach's decision regarding the player list was based on several careful considerations.

"There are three determinations for this squad to be considered. First, performance, then discipline, and finally attitude. So, those three are the references," said Sumardji.

Seeing Sumardji's considerations, there was speculation that disciplinary points were the cause of Saddil's removal. However, Sumardji did not comment and emphasized that it was all Shin Tae-yong's decision.

"That (about the disciplinary aspect) I don't need to explain. The reference was clear that the three were, performance, discipline, and attitude," he said.

Sumardi then informed that after this deletion, players who were not included in the list would immediately return to the country.

"Both players (Saddil and Arkhan) will return to Indonesia," said Sumardji again.

The 2023 Asian Cup will take place on January 12-10 February 2024 in Qatar. The Indonesian national team is in Group D with Iraq, Vietnam, and Japan.

The inaugural match of the Indonesian national team will be held on January 15, 2024, against Iraq. The Mesopotamian Lion team is clearly a tough test because they are one of the champion teams in Group D.