Menpora Optimistic Indonesia Wins The 2024 AFF Cup

Menpora Dito Ariotedjo believes that the Indonesian national team won the 2024 AFF Cup (doc. Kemenpora).

JAKARTA - The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) of the Republic of Indonesia, Dito Ariotedjo, is optimistic that the Indonesian national team will be able to come out as champions in the 2024 AFF Cup.

The AFF Cup, known as the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup (AMEC), will take place from December 8, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

Dito is quite confident in the strength of the composition of Indonesian players. He believes that Shin Tae-yong's squad will appear with their best game.

"Optimistics for the Indonesian national team to win," said Menpora Dito at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, December 2, 2024, quoted on the Kemenpora website.

The players called by the coach are currently undergoing a training camp in Bali. The South Korean tactician initially called 33 names, but four of them have been crossed out.

The majority of players called up by the coach were 22 years old. Two of them are Marselino Ferdinand and Pratama Arhan, who have subscribed to defend the Indonesian national team.

Dito assessed that this composition is very good because it will increase the player's flight hours and prepare the next generation for the Indonesian national team at the senior level.

"I think this time the focus is on the generation. It's also good to tighten the solidity of the team. This is what is needed," said Dito.

Shin Tae-yong previously emphasized that the team still has a high target in the 2024 AFF Cup even though the players who are called are still young.

He said that this event was important to prepare the team for the 2025 SEA Games as well as develop the potential of young players.

"This is a big enough tournament and is part of the preparations for the 2025 SEA Games. These young players have great potential to be developed to help advance Indonesian football in the future," he said.

The Indonesian national team is in Group B with Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos. The Garuda squad will start their journey in the tournament against hosts Myanmar on December 9, 2024.