Indonesia U-16 Wins 3rd Place In The 2024 AFF U-16 Cup: Don't Be Big Head!

Indonesia U-16 is ranked third in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The U-16 Indonesian national team completed the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup by winning third place. This result is expected not to make Nova Arianto's troops big heads because they must again prepare to look at the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification.

This hope was expressed by the General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI, Erick Thohir. He positively welcomed Indonesia U-16's success which was able to rise after failing to advance to the final due to a 3-5 loss to Australia U-16 in the semifinals.

These results made Garuda Nusantara have to duel with Vietnam U-16 in the race for third place. In the match which took place at Manahan Stadium, Solo, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the U-16 Indonesian national team managed to win with a landslide score of 5-0.

"I am proud that the U-16 Indonesian national team won against Vietnam U-16 with a large number of goals. However, we should not be big-headed," said Erick Thohir in his statement quoted on Friday, July 5, 2024.

"In fact, the defeat to Australia U-16 yesterday must be part of self-introspection, both from players and coaches. Moreover, we enter this championship as defending champions," he said.

Erick Thohir added that the results of the third winner in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup and the big victory scored by Indonesia became a good capital. The reason is, after this Indonesia U-16 must be prepared to appear against Kuwait, the North Mariana Islands, and Australia in the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification in October 2024.

"After winning, we have to prepare because in those matches (The 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification) must prove that Indonesia U-16 is better than today. It can rise from defeat, then score a lot of goals, showing we have a winning mentality," said Erick Thohir.