The Indonesian U-23 National Team Will TC In Dubai At The End Of March 2024

Elkan Baggott is being pursued to join the U-23 Indonesian national team (Instagram/@elkanbaggott).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team will undergo a training camp (TC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the end of March 2024 to prepare for the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. All clubs whose players are called have agreed.

The news was conveyed by the Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN), Sumardji. According to him, all clubs in Liga 1 agreed to fully support the U-23 Indonesian national team by releasing players.

"Some time ago we spoke with several clubs regarding the agenda of the U-23 Indonesian national team. The plan is that we will conduct a TC on March 31, 2024 in Dubai," said Sumardji in his statement at the PTIK Stadium, Jakarta.

"Well, there are many meetings with friends (League 1 clubs) in principle who support them," said Sumardji.

The club's agreement to release players is clearly a breath of fresh air because previously PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) was confused about deciding whether to take a break when the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup rolled out or not.

You see, the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup on April 15 to May 3, 2024 clashed with the crucial week of Liga 1 2023/2024. However, with the club's decision not to mind the players, Liga 1 could continue.

Currently, PSSI is communicating with foreign clubs defended by U-23 Indonesian national team players, such as Elkan Baggott, Ivar Jenner, Justin Hubner, Rafael Struick, Pratama Arhan, and Marselino Ferdinand.

Given that the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup competition does not include the FIFA calendar, foreign clubs may not give permission to the players. Moreover, mid-April 2024 competitions abroad have entered the last weeks.

Judging from these considerations, clubs are not unlikely to want to keep their players more in order to bring their team to end the competition as best they can.

"That makes the intense talks, yes, friends who play abroad. They will all enter the U-23 Indonesian national team squad," said Sumardji.

"For players in Indonesia, God willing, it is safe. We have spoken to friends (clubs) and they support us," he said.

"That (player abroad is being pursued) because this is a very good moment with the current squad. We want to have high hopes so that the Garuda Team can fly high," concluded the CEO of Bhayangkara FC.