The National Team Doesn't Call A New Defender To Replace Nurhidayat, Nova: We Are Sure Of The Team Composition

Indonesian National Team (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - Assistant coach of the Indonesian national team Nova Arianto said that the Garuda squad had no plans to call in a new centre-back even though Nurhidayat Haji Haris was dropped from the team and Andy Setyo was injured.

"There was no summons. We are sure about the composition of the defenders in the team," Nova said when contacted by Antara from Jakarta, Wednesday.

As is known, Nurhidayat was sent back to Indonesia on Tuesday because of disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Andy Setyo suffered a hamstring injury during training and it is not yet known whether he will be able to play against Thailand, Thursday, in the Asian zone 2022 World Cup Qualification Group G.

"Andy's condition is not yet fit and we are still looking at the situation until tomorrow," Nova said.

Previously, national team defender Koko Ari also suffered a knee injury and was doubtful until the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone were completed.

Thus, currently there are only five central defenders in the national team who are physically ready to compete, namely Ryuji Utomo, Rachmat Irianto, Rizky Ridho Ramadhan, Koko Ari and Didik Wahyu.

The last two names were called later to Dubai to replace central defender Elkan Baggott who failed to join the Garuda squad.

The Indonesian national team will face the final three matches of Group G Qualification for the 2022 World Cup in the Asian zone on 3-11 June 2021 in Dubai.

The Garuda squad will try out the strengths of Thailand on June 3, 2021, then Vietnam on June 7, 2021 and the United Arab Emirates on June 11, 2021.

In Dubai, Evan Dimas and his friends have undergone two test matches, namely against Afghanistan and Oman with the results always losing by scores of 2-3 and 1-3, respectively.