Already Indonesian Citizen Status, Jens Ravens Hasn't Joined The U-19 Indonesian National Team

Jens Raven has not participated in the TC of the U-19 Indonesian National Team (Instagram/@jensraven9).

JAKARTA - Jens Ravens has assumed the status of an Indonesian citizen (WNI) in June 2024. With its new status, the player can be included in the Garuda Muda squad. However, until now Ravens is still absent from the U-19 Indonesian national team training camp.

Currently, the U-19 Indonesian national team is currently undergoing a training camp (TC) in preparation for appearing in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup. The event, which has another name as ASEAN Championship U-19, will take place from 17-29 July 2024 in Surabaya.

During the agenda, in fact, Jens Ravens, who has become part of the team, has not been seen joining colleagues on the field. This was confirmed by Indra Sjafri who was relaxed and had no problem.

Apparently, the coach already knew that Jens Ravens would be slow to join the team. The reason is that the 18-year-old still has to go to school in the Netherlands.

"Jens Raven, later he will return here on July 5 or 7, 2024. He must finish his schooling. After that, he returned to FC Dordrecht U-21 club for two days," said Indra Sjafri in his statement in Jakarta quoted on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Indra Sjafri has stated that Jens has officially joined the U-19 Indonesian national team squad without conducting further selection. After completing school activities in the Netherlands, Jens will immediately join the team in Surabaya.

"That one (school activity) is okay. After that he will immediately join in Surabaya," said the coach.

Despite the absence of Jens Ravens, the U-19 Indonesian national team will undergo the TC agenda in Jakarta only until July 9, 2024. After that, they left for Surabaya to focus on continuing training at the designated location.

In the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup, the U-19 Indonesian national team as the host joined Cambodia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste in Group A. While Group B is inhabited by Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Australia. Finally, Group C is filled with Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam.