Elkan Baggott Has The Opportunity To Appear In The Indonesia U-23 Vs Guinea U-23 Match

Elkan Baggott is likely to defend Indonesia U-23 against Guinea U-23 (Instagram/@elkanbaggott).

JAKARTA - Elkan Baggott has the opportunity to participate in defending Indonesia U-23, which is still struggling to get a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, according to the Head of the National Team Agency (BTN), Sumardji, Baggott's presence is still waiting for news from his club, Bristol Rovers.

"PSSI is currently calling Elkan (Baggott). We are waiting for good news from the club," Sumardji said in a statement quoted on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Indonesia U-23 leaves one last way to win tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics. They have to play a playoff match between Confederations against Africa's representative, Guinea U-23.

The match is scheduled to be held at the Center National du Football Clairefontaine, Paris, France, on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

This match became the final chance for Garuda Muda after losing to Iraq U-23 in the third race for the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Guinea U-23 is the team that must be faced because they are the fourth ranked team for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup.

As a last resort, Indonesia's U-23 victory is mandatory. For the sake of that target, PSSI then decided to summon Elkan Baggott, who was previously not included in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup because he focused on defending the Bristol Rovers in League One or the third level of the English league.

While waiting for good news about the willingness of the Bristol Rovers to release Elkan Baggot, Sumardji also said that PSSI was also trying to Alfeandra Dewangga to be able to follow Indonesia U-23 to Paris.

"We call Elkan and prepare (Alfeandra) Dewangga to take care of his visa," said Sumardji.

Sumardji further said all players who have careers abroad will still be taken to Paris. Including Justin Hubner, who is reportedly back at his club, Cerezo Osaka.