Forget The Defeat To Vietnam At The 2019 SEA Games, Egy Maulana: Will Not Repeat The Same Mistakes

A Maulana Vikri (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The attacking midfielder for the Indonesian national team, Egy Maulana Vikri, admitted that he and his teammates had forgotten the 0-3 defeat to Vietnam in the 2019 SEA Games final before the second meeting of the teams in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.

"For us, it is part of history. We have learned from there and will not repeat the same mistakes," said Egy, quoted by Antara from PSSI's statement in Jakarta, Monday.

Although titled the senior national team, the composition of the Garuda squad currently consists of mostly U-22 players, who in 2019 experienced a direct defeat to Vietnam in the 2019 SEA Games final.

Some of them, namely Egy Maulana, Nadeo Argawinata, Rachmat Irianto, Witan Sulaeman, Syahrian Abimanyu, Andy Setyo, Osvaldo Haay, Muhammad Rafli, Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar and also senior player Evan Dimas.

For Egy, the results in the SEA Games final two years ago were indeed tough, but the Indonesian national team now is not what it used to be. They have been different since changing coaches from Indra Sjafri to a man from South Korea, Shin Tae-yong.

"We will fight harder than ever," said the 20-year-old footballer.

The Indonesian national team will face Vietnam in the seventh match of Group G of the 2022 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone at the Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, June 7 starting at 23.45 WIB.

Vietnam temporarily occupies the top of Group G with 11 points, while Indonesia is in the bottom position by collecting one point.