The U-22 National Team's Temporary Squad For The 2023 SEA Games Handed Over To KOI, League 2 Players Dominate

Indonesia U-22 National Team Coach for the 2023 SEA Games, Indra Sjafri. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - The U-22 Indonesian national team coach, Indra Sjafri, will hand over a list of 50 names of players to the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI). The names are players who will be included in the interim squad to appear at the 2023 SEA Games.

This news was shared by Indra Sjafri after leading the training camp at Field A Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta on Thursday, March 16 morning. On the same occasion, he also emphasized that the cast list this time was dominated by players from League 2 clubs.

"And after this breakfast we will have a meeting and discussion with the coaches. In the afternoon we will give 50 players (to KOI). A total of 21 players from League 1 players, and 29 players from friends from League 2," said Indra Sjafri as quoted by Antara.

The man who is also PSSI's Technical Director (Dirtek) also explained that there are 15 names of players from Liga 1 who have regular playing minutes. While the remaining six have less minutes.

However, based on considerations, Indra Sjafri still registered all names. After registering 50 names of players, the West Sumatra coach explained that TC will be held on March 29 or April 1 in Jakarta.

After that, he will monitor the players who are called up to the U-22 national team for two matches on FIFA match day against Burundi on March 25 and 28.

"So the players will play on FIFA match day, if I'm not mistaken there are five, there are five players who play on FIFA match day which was born in 2001. And we will monitor his progress in seniors later," said Indra.

This TC agenda and trial are the establishment of a team in preparation for the 2023 SEA Games which will take place from 5 to 17 May in Cambodia. Indra Sjafri is also trying to get his team to do three to four trials before appearing.

"So we will start trials from the 11th to the league ending April 16, we will make simulations, three or four trials, play around with the league teams in League 1," explained Indra.

"It is possible that later if there are World Cup teams that have entered Indonesia. We are trying, we ask PSSI or they can try it on us," he said.

For the 2023 SEA Games, the Indonesian national team is burdened with the target of winning a gold medal. So far, Indonesia has only won gold medals from men's soccer, namely in 1987 and 1991.