Indra Sjafri Gets An Image Of Indonesia U-20 Composition After The Second Trial Against Uzbekistan U-20

The U-20 Indonesian national team during the trial against Thailand U-20 (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The U-20 Indonesian national team lost 2-3 during their second trial against Uzbekistan U-20 at the Madya Stadium, Senayan, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

The result is not a measure. Most importantly, from that defeat, Indra Sjafri as the coach has got an idea of the players who will continue in the team.

Previously, it was known that the trial agenda carried out by Indonesia U-20 was indeed one of the means for evaluating player performance. Not surprisingly, Indra always fielded all his players.

This method he carried out as a means of assessing players in the promotion-relegation system for the Garuda Muda training camp.

"I want to provide information that from our two international test matches, we have tried 27 players. In those two matches we now know exactly (the ability) of the 30 players in the training camp now," said Indra Sjafri in a press conference after the match against Uzbekistan, Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

The coach further admitted that there were only a dozen players who met the criteria to continue in the Indonesia U-20 training camp (TC). That way, he said there would be a recruitment process to find new potential and repatriation of a number of names.

"There are approximately 17 players who I think can be used as players to take part or become part of Indonesia U-20. That means we will look for new players," he said.

Regarding the potential of new players, currently the coaching team has implemented several methods to be able to find players who feel appropriate.

"We are sending the coach to Surabaya to see the semifinals of the Soeratin Cup and are participating in the EPA (Elite Pro Academy) tournament," said Indra Sjafri.

"After that, we are still investigating players who play abroad. So, there are several players who are now born in 2005 and playing abroad. We have communicated with them," he said.

The trial and training camp held by Indra Sjafri is fairly tight. You see, the coach is indeed serious about sorting out players with the best abilities.

This effort was made by Indra Sjafri considering that the U-20 Indonesian national team was indeed projected to compete in the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile. Before that, they will take part in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup and 2025 U-20 Asian Cup Qualification.

Meanwhile, Garuda Muda also lost in the first trial against Thailand U-20. The U-20 Indonesian national team lost 1-2 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on January 26, 2024.