Indra Sjafri Describes The Indonesian National Team Squad For The 2023 Asian Games

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian national team for the 2023 Asian Games, Indra Sjafri, already has an idea of the squad he will rely on. For the composition of the team he takes care of, Indra Sjafri will include players who are included in the 2023 SEA Games champions squad.

In addition, he will also bring some senior players into the team because according to the rules, it is still allowed.

"The concept is for the composition of the squad to be mixed, because regulations may include three senior players. (Players) born 1999, aged 24," said Indra Sjafri about the 2023 Asian Games squad being met in South Jakarta, Wednesday, July 19.

Regarding the majority of the players who will be brought into the squad, Indra Sjafri said he would prioritize players who had appeared at the 2023 SEA Games. This will make the U-24 national team squad dominated by U-23 players.

He did that because the U-24 national team he handled was not set on a special target at this year's Asian Games. For that reason, Indra Sjafri will make the agenda a momentum for players to gain experience in international events.

"There is no target in the event (Asian Games 2023), which means we provide experience to players. But we don't want to just go along, just follow. The direction of Mr. Ketum, the priority is to give awards to (players) of the 2023 SEA Games," he explained.

"Because it made us included in the priority of the Asian Games, the requirements were the SEA Games gold medal," he continued.

In addition, Indra Sjafri will also include several U-20 national team players to appear at this year's Asian Games. He will appoint the players that have been prepared by Shin Tae-yong to appear in the 2023 U-20 World Cup which will then be canceled.

For this reason, Indra Sjafri will first establish communication with Shin Tae-yong. The reason is, there are two big agendas, namely the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup and the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification.

"We gave the award to the 20 players, after which the remaining 20 players were mixed, U-20, born 1999, there were seniors," explained the former Bali United coach.

"Later, which squad will be dominated more later in development. Because with coach Shin Tae-yong has to discuss, at the same time there is AFF U-23, preparation for the U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers."

"Look at which priority scale is important in every event faced," explained Indra Sjafri.