AFC Cup Drawing Results: U-19 National Team Has A Chance, U-16 National Team Enters The Death Group

U-19 Indonesian National Team (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held a group draw for the AFC U-19 and U-16 Cups in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, June 18. As a result, the Indonesian U-19 and U-16 national teams experienced different fates.

The U-19 Indonesian national team is included in Group A along with the hosts Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Iran. The opportunity to escape is quite open considering that only Iran is the toughest opponent.

This belief was expressed by the Technical Director of PSSI, Indra Sjafri. He said that Uzbekistan had been defeated by the Indonesian U-19 national team, as well as Cambodia.

"Hopefully coach Shin Tae-yong can bring the U-19 (Indonesian) national team to beat them," said Indra Sjafri.

Unlike the U-19 national team, the struggle for the U-16 Indonesian national team is believed to be very tough because it is in the hell group. Bima Sakti foster children joined in Group D along with Japan, China and Saudi Arabia.

The three countries have won the status of being champions. Obviously, Indonesia is not really taken into account in this group. Even so, the Milky Way still has a sense of optimism.

"Now the important thing is we prepare mentally, tactically and strategically to face our three opponents in Group D," said Bima Sakti.

To note, the U-19 AFC Cup will be held from October 14 to 31 in Uzbekistan. The U-16 AFC Cup will be held in Bahrain from 25 November to 12 December.