Together Realizing President Jokowi's Mandate For The Indonesian National Team

Indonesian National Team coach, Shin Tae-yong (right) and PSSI Technical Director, Indra Sjafri (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) continues to monitor the preparations for the Indonesian national team for the 2021 U-20 World Cup. PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan admitted that he received a mandate from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, so that Indonesia would not only be successful in terms of implementation, but also in merit.

According to him, football is a way to uplift the dignity of the nation. So, it is an obligation for the Indonesian national team to speak a lot in their own country.

"We are ready to carry out President Jokowi's direction so that the achievements of the Indonesian national team must be 'sound' when hosting the 2021 U-20 World Cup,"

Chairman of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan

Last Thursday, PSSI held a virtual meeting with Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong and Technical Director Indra Sjafri. The meeting discussed the matter of preparation for the Indonesian national team.

PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan asked Shin Tae-yong to continue to communicate with Indra Sjafri regarding the Indonesian national team program. PSSI also wants the training camp to be held in Indonesia. It is possible that there will be no training camps (TC) abroad as is usually done.

"Even though in the country, we hope the players must focus and work hard," said the man who is familiarly called Iwan Bule.

Shin Tae-yong admitted that there is no problem if the Indonesian national team does not hold TC abroad. He will continue to prepare the team optimally to achieve the best achievements, as President Jokowi wanted.

"We also want to do a training camp in the field and of course try out with a team that is above our quality," said Shin Tae-yong.

Meanwhile, Indra Sjafri revealed that PSSI is currently drafting new regulations for the 2020 League 1 and 2 2020 League competitions. This regulation will oblige clubs to play players under 20 years of age.

In addition, PSSI also continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) to prepare for the Indonesian national team and host the U-20 World Cup.

"There are several requests from PSSI that we convey to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, hopefully they can be realized and useful for the Indonesian national team and PSSI," said Indra Sjafri.