On The Day Of Departure, The Indonesian Football Association Tells That The National Team Has Canceled Participating In The AFF U-23 Cup

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) conveyed bad news regarding the participation of the Indonesian national team in the U-23 AFF Cup competition. Right on the day of departure, the PSSI confirmed that it was confirmed that Garuda Muda would not appear in the 2022 AFF U-23 Cup.

In fact, the 2022 AFF U-23 Cup will be held on February 14-26 in Cambodia. With that agenda, the national team itself is scheduled to leave for Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday, February 11 this afternoon.

However, on the same day as the national team's departure, the PSSI officially announced the cancellation of the national team to appear in the 2022 AFF U-23 Cup. The COVID-19 exposure factor and the presence of injured players were the main causes for the Garuda Muda Squad not to appear.

Based on the PSSI report, there were seven players who tested positive for COVID-19. They are Ronaldo Kwateh, Muhammad Ferrari, Braif Fatari, Taufik Hidayat, Irfan Jauhari, Ahmad Figo Ramadhani, and Cahya Supriyadi.

In addition, there are also four players who are waiting for the incubation period because they were in the same room with those who were exposed to COVID-19. The four players in question are Alfeandra Dewangga, Genta Alparedo, Muhammad Kanu Helmiawan, and Marcelino Ferdinand.

Not only exposed to COVID-19, PSSI continued that there were also players who were confirmed to be unable to appear due to injuries. They are Gunansar Mandowen, Ramai Rumakiek, and Muhammad Iqbal, all three of whom suffered injuries while strengthening their respective clubs in the 2021-2022 Liga 1 competition.

Seeing the impossible condition of the team, Shin Tae-yong as the head coach of the Indonesian national team sent an official letter to the federation and proposed to cancel Indonesia's participation in the AFF U23 Cup. Shin Tae-yong's request was then responded to by the PSSI.

After a discussion between the PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan, Deputy Iwan Budianto, Secretary General Yunus Nusi, Technical Director Indra Sjafri, and coach Shin Tae-yong, the decision was finally taken to cancel Indonesia's participation in the tournament.

When announcing this cancellation, PSSI also apologized to several parties, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the organizers of the U23 AFF Cup.

"It is with great regret that we have to cancel Indonesia's participation in the U-23 AFF Cup for reasons

on. We apologize to all parties because this situation is beyond our control," said Yunus Nusi, quoted from the official PSSI website.

"Currently, we are focused on healing players who have been affected by COVID-19 and who have suffered injuries," he continued.