Opportunities For New Players To Join The U-24 Indonesian National Team At The 2023 Asian Games

The coach of the Indonesian U-24 National Team for the 2023 Asian Games, Indra Sjafri. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian U-24 national team (Timnas), Indra Sjafri, opened the door for new players to join ahead of the round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Games. There are two slots that can be filled by Garuda Muda.

The U-24 national team advanced to the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Games through the best third-placed ticket. They will face one of the opponents from Group C, namely Uzbekistan or Hong Kong, in the last 16 match scheduled for Thursday, September 28.

"I will discuss with the coaching team. Will I call the players to fill the remaining two slots that have not been present, we will discuss them," he said at a press conference.

The final decision regarding the summons of new players will be made after the candidate against Indonesia on the last 16 is known on Monday, September 25.

Although the U-24 national team suffered two defeats after a good start with a win in the group stage, Indra Sjafri showed his support for his current players.

"As a coach, I appreciate the performance in the players' three matches. Indeed, there are things that need to be improved, to be noted as a coach, but the team here has really fought well," he said, as reported by Antara.

He also considered that even though the national team lost the match against North Korea, his team's performance was still good.

"If you honestly see Indonesia's match with North Korea, we lose a goal, yes, but if there are quality ones, North Korea or Indonesia, if you look at the results of the goal match, yes, the goal is only because of a set piece and it is a mistake that should not be done again," he added.