Indra Sjafri: The Toulon Tournament Is A Trial Of U-20 National Team Quality

Indonesian U-20 national team players train at ABC Square, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Friday (24/5/2024). BETWEEN/Donny Aditra

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian U-20 football national team, Indra Sjafri, said that Maurice Revello Tournament or Toulon Cup 2024 in France is a quality test forum for his squad to prepare for the next generation of senior players. Players and coaching teams are very happy to have the opportunity and support from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to leave for the tournament, so that later they can fight more senior players with the range of U-21 and U-23 from several European countries, such as Ukraine, France, Italy, and others. "We make this a test event for U-20. So we always bring the old one even though the opponent is older," said Indra after leading the last training for the Garuda Muda squad at ABC Square, Gelora Bung Karno, Antara, Friday, May 24 morning. Indonesia has always included players under 19 years or 20 years since participating in the tournament three times because it wants to provide more experience to players to feel a different atmosphere. Furthermore, Indra said, 30 players will depart with three waves starting at midnight. While in Italy, he continued, there are several diaspora players who will join like Jens Raven who are now strengthening FC Dordrecht U-21 club and positioning as attackers. "The number of diaspora joining is still fluctuating. Maybe we will still see some developments first," said the man who is also PSSI's Technical Director. Indra added, during TC in Italy, the U-20 national team began training at Como 1907 on May 26-31. After that, Garuda Muda will go to Toulon, France to participate in the tournament. The Toulon tournament will start from June 3-16. In that tournament, Indonesia started the group stage against the U-23 Ukrainian national team on June 4. Then, on June 6, Indra Sjafri's squad will play a match against the Panama U-21 national team, Japan U-21 (June), and finally Italy U-21 (June 12). In addition to participating in the 2024 Toulon Tournament in France, the Garuda Muda squad is also prepared to participate in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup, 2024 U-20 Asian Cup Qualification, and preparations for the 2025 U-20 World Cup.

To face the series of matches and tournaments, Indra Sjafri has physically trained the Arkhan Kaka et al squad since a few months ago.