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World class coach Satoru Mochizuk (center) leads the Indonesian Women's National Team in the 2024 U-17 Asian Cup. Photo: PSSI
JAKARTA – The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has not given new coach Satoru Mochizuki a target for the U-17 Indonesian Women's National Team at the 2024 U-17 Asian Cup. In fact, Satoru is a world-class coach who brought Japan to the 2011 Women's World Cup.
This was stated by the General Chair of PSSI, Erick Thohir, in Jakarta, Tuesday (20/2/2024). The U-17 Indonesian Women's National Team is certain to be the host of the 2024 U-17 Asian Cup. Despite being the host, the former Inter Milan president is reluctant to impose targets on the Garuda Pertiwi Muda squad because it will be coached by a new coach.
“Well, of course, as the host of AFC U-17 later, I don't want to have a target yet (for Satoru),” said Erick Thohir to media crew including MNC Portal Indonesia at Menara Danareksa, Jakarta, Tuesday (20/2/2024).
“Don't (say), why isn't there a target? Other trainers are being targeted, so be patient, new people coming in will be targeted straight away, the talent pool doesn't yet look like what it looks like,” he added.
Even though he doesn't set targets, Erick Thohir still gives full confidence to Satoru Mochizuki to improve the quality of the Indonesian Women's National Team across age groups. Where, the coach from Japan will help develop Indonesian women's football starting from U-17.
“Well, I said 'coach has no target'. But this is the starting point for forming our long-term team,” explained Erick Thohir.
“We are mapping out when the U-17 world championship will be, when the U-20 women's world championship will be, when will the senior women's world championship, this is what we are blueprinting, we are strategic starting from the AFC U-17 team which we are preparing this year,” he said again.
Furthermore, Erick Thohir confirmed that the 2024 U-17 Women's Asian Cup will be held in Bali, Indonesia between 7 and 20 April 2024. However, before performing in that event, coach Satoru will conduct talent scouting in several areas with PSSI Technical Director, Indra Sjafri.
“U17 AFC will be in Bali, the coach will start planning as soon as possible, but of course we will start to map out the talent pool. But I believe that we have started to take steps and I'm sure the steps are good. It's just a matter of how we make sure that after taking steps we can “ran and produced achievements. Thank you,” said Erick Thohir.
(sto)