Ankle Still Troubled, Asnawi's Opportunity To Play In The U-23 National Team Vs Timor Leste Is Small

Asnawi Mangkualam (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA – The condition of the Indonesian U-23 national team defender Asnawi Mangkualam is not yet fit. The 22-year-old player's ankle is still in the process of recovering.

This situation makes his chances to strengthen the Indonesian U-23 national team against Timor Leste in the second match of the Group A elimination on Tuesday, May 10 tomorrow, shrink.

"There may be a slight feeling of discomfort in the ankle and it's still in the recovery process. Hopefully we can recover and play as soon as possible. But we hope to play the next game," Asnawi said on the PSSI official website.

Asnawi just joined the Garuda squad in Vietnam on Saturday, May 7, and was already undergoing training the next day. However, he is still training separately with the team due to his ankle recovery focus.

Previously, the Ansan Greeners player was absent in the inaugural match against Vietnam. He has not been able to arrive earlier because his strength is needed by clubs in South Korea's League 2.

"Of course it's nice to be back with friends here," said Asnawi.

If he cannot play in the match against Timor Leste, then Asnawi may only be able to play against the Philippines on 13 May and against Myanmar on 15 May.

Shin Tae-yong's troops are currently sitting in fourth place in the group standings after losing 0-3 to Vietnam in their inaugural match.

For that, Indonesia needs three points in the second match of the group stage later in order to maintain hope of qualifying for the semifinals.