Indra Sjafri Ensures Welber Jardim Appears In The 2024 AFF U-19 Cup Semifinals

Indonesian U-19 National Team Player (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian U-19 national team, Indra Sjafri, confirmed that Welber Jardim was ready to appear against Malaysia in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup semifinals on Saturday, July 27.

The coach explained that despite being injured, Welber had returned to training with the squad in the team. On the same occasion, Indra Sjafri also said that all the players were fit.

"Earlier I answered, all the players fit. So indeed many people concluded that Welber had a problem during the third match against Timor Leste because he was out in a wheelchair," said Indra during a press conference ahead of the match, quoted on Friday, July 26.

Previously, Welfer's condition was indeed worrying. He was known to have been injured while helping the U-19 national team to win 6-2 over Timor Leste in the final match of the group phase, last Tuesday, July 23.

At that time, Welber had a collision with the opposing player and made him have to be driven off the field. After the match, a photo of the player was circulated in a wheelchair.

Regarding this moment, Indra Sjafri also gave an explanation. He said it was a protocol to prevent the condition of players from getting worse.

Realizing that so much attention was focused on the condition of the players and also the team, Indra Sjafri also expressed his gratitude to the community and the medical team of the Garuda Muda Squad who always provided support.

"That's our procedure, if there is an injury, you have to use a wheelchair or stick," he said.

"Tell the public, thank you to the team of doctors and physiotherapists and we are also supported by the government as well as excellent tools. One day after the injury, we handled Welber well, the second day Welber was already training and ready to play tomorrow," explained Indra Sjafri.

Welber Jardim's recovery is clearly good news ahead of the meeting with Malaysia in the semifinals, because this makes Indra Sjafri have many choices in formulating the best composition in midfield.

The presence of Welber, who is a player in his original position as a full-back, could be an option with Figo Dennis, Toni Firmansyah, and Kafiatur Rizky.