Solo Becomes The Host Of The U-17 World Cup Semifinals And Finals, Erick Thohir: The First Pon Is Held Here

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir said Solo City was selected to host the semifinals and finals of the 2023 U-17 World Cup Championships which will be held at the Solo Manahan Stadium, Central Java, in November.

"Solo will be the semifinals and finals of the U-17 World Cup Championships, because this city, historically, the first PON will be held here. Who knows, football is also making history," said Erick Thohir, quoted from Antara, Sunday, July 23.

But, said Erick, of course, the burden should not be burdened, let the players who issued all their abilities like yesterday the SEA Games national team, those who wanted and they proved to be young Indonesians. If guided and given the opportunity and they rise, God willing, there will be a way.

Erick Thohir, who also serves as Minister of SOEs, said that the selection of U-17 national team players has been running in seven cities that are present in Jakarta, Bandung, Palembang, Bali, and Solo, some in Kalimantan and Banjarmasin the selection went smoothly and it was confirmed that there were no players entrusted.

"Because, we want to give as much of it as possible to talents in Indonesia and we are serious about preparing not only for this year's U-17, but also for U-20 in 2025," said Erick who was accompanied by Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Because, continued Erick, it is impossible to form a tough team with a short program. This seriousness can be announced that his party has signed with Frank Sayututh from Germany, who will be the accompanying coach, Indra Syafri, and is also very welcome to continue working together.

The German coach accompanied the U-17 national team this August, in Jakarta and will then fully assist in Germany and the U-17 national team will also accompany the team as a whole.

The coach felt that his background could be spread, he worked as an instructor for the German PSSI coach for 10 years, the coach of the German U-20 national team for 6 years and the last three years in the Dutch league one.

"So this is a positive thing when Indonesia develops football, also working with many parties from other countries who believe Indonesian football can rise and of course FIFA will also be present at the end of this month, to check again all the stadium facilities proposed for the U-17," he said.

According to him, especially for the city of Solo, it used to be ready for the U-20 World Cup but FIFA would still check again.

Meanwhile, in the selection of players from the U-17 national team which was held at the Sriwedari Stadium in Solo, 280 players participated and the majority of them were from football schools in the Solo Raya area. Solo is one of the selection sites for the U-17 national team out of a total of 12 cities held.

"So this team that was formed, actually the team already has an AFF U-16, but of course there are age factors and others, that's why we are recruiting again talents in 12 cities. Of course we realize there is no competition. But, I believe yesterday the U-19 women's preparation national team is very minimal, there is no competition, but it can penetrate the semifinal history for the first time AFF," he said.

This means that Indonesia has good talent but must be nurtured. Therefore, the training camp is now four months long and continues to be recruited as well as talents from 12 cities.

Diaspora from six players were selected by two later so that the coaching team announced and then called six more diaspora. "So all the best Indonesian talents in other places want to join," concluded Erick Thohir.