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JAKARTA – The coach of the Indonesian U-20 National Team, Indra Sjafri, will rotate his players when they meet Uzbekistan U-20. This was expressed by Indra Sjafri after Garuda Nusantara – the nickname of the Indonesian U-20 National Team – lost 1-2 to Thailand in a trial match at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, Friday (26/1/2024) evening WIB.
The Indonesian U-20 National Team scored first via Toni Firmansyah's action in the 12th minute after receiving an assist from Dony Tri Pamungkas. However, Thailand U-20 managed to comeback through a pair of goals from Paripan Wongsa (63') and Pikanet Laohawiwat (90+3').
After losing to Thailand U-20, the Indonesian U-20 National Team will challenge Uzbekistan U-20 at Madya Stadium, Jakarta, next Tuesday (30/1/2024). Indra Sjafri confirmed that he would rotate the Indonesian U-20 national team players when facing Uzbekistan juniors.
Currently, the 60-year-old coach has a total of 30 Indonesian U-20 national team players available. However, he could only bring 23 players against Thailand U-20, as well as against Uzbekistan.
“Tomorrow (against Uzbekistan) there will be more player changes taken from the 30 currently available,” said Indra Sjafri in a press conference after the Indonesia U-20 vs Thailand U-20 national team match, quoted on Saturday (27/1/2024).
“We have 30 players, earlier (yesterday) there were seven, but there were five who didn't wear uniforms because only 23 were allowed to be brought. So we have 20 players, 2 for each position and 3 goalkeepers,” he added.
For information, this series of trials is in preparation for the Indonesian U-20 National Team ahead of appearing in the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup to the 2025 U-20 Asian Cup Qualification. After undergoing the two trials above, Indra Sjafri will select Garuda Nusantara players.
“After testing twice, we will start evaluating who we will send back to the club and who will continue with TC until the 10th (February). Because after the 10th there will be a quiet week,” explained Indra Sjafri.
“After that the league will start again and we hope that the players we have seen and will return to the club, later we will work with the club coach to monitor them at the club,” he said.
(sto)