Erick Thohir Believes Andil Is The U-23 National Team Player In The 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir (photo: between)

JAKARTA - Behind the failure of the U-23 Indonesian national team to the 2024 Paris Olympics, yesterday's achievement in the Asian Cup still exceeded expectations. Erick Thohir as the General Chair of PSSI also believes this is a valuable experience for the players.

Erick hopes for a number of U-23 national team players who will later join the senior team. At least they must have three main provisions to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

"I hope the U-23 players who will join the senior (team) don't be discouraged," said Erick Thohir in Denpasar, as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, May 12.

The three provisions are the physical, mental and intelligence readiness (IQ) of football from the players when undergoing prestigious matches including the U-23 Asian Cup to play off for the 2024 Olympics.

Although they have not brought home the maximum results, the Garuda Muda squad has given high achievements, namely entering the top four of the U-23 Asian Cup.

"Who ever thought of the U-23 team to the four best in Asia, never, right? The proof is possible," he added.

Previously, the U-23 Indonesian national team was defeated by Uzbekistan with a score of 0-2 in the U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, on April 29.

Meanwhile, in Paris, Garuda Muda lost 0-1 to Guinea on Thursday (9/5) so that it dashed hopes of appearing in the 2024 Olympics.

He also wants the three provisions pocketed by the Garuda Muda team to be improved, including through training camps, to trials with other national teams as a place to test their guts and explore experiences.

"If that's not the case (trial) they will never be ready," said the SOE Minister.

Later, this mental, physical and skill provision, he continued, is also expected not to make the U-23 national team happy but still improve performance in the team.

Erick added that June 2024 is a solid month for players who join the senior team to fight Iraq and the Philippines to be able to break the third round of World Cup qualifiers in home games.

"Don't underestimate the Philippines, they have taken a coach from Belgium. They also recruit Filipino players abroad. We also don't have to work together to prepare the best team," he said.

The third round was followed by 18 countries divided into three groups.

The rankings one and two went straight to the World Cup, amen. Ranks three and four are pitted again," he added.