TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali and the General Chair of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan directly inspected the inaugural U-19 national team training camp at the Madya Stadium, Gelora Bung Karno area, Jakarta on Tuesday, March 2 2022. Only 32 players attended from 40 names who was called to join the Indonesian national team.
The Minister of Youth and Sports advised the players to seriously practice. In addition, players must maintain their health because currently the Covid-19 pandemic is still ongoing.
“You have to practice seriously, earnestly, and follow all the programs from coach Shin Tae-yong. Discipline and work hard, right now it’s still Covid-19, take care of your health,” said Minister of Youth and Sports Amali.
He reminded the players not to make additional activities outside of the training programmed by the coach. “Anyway, it’s time to sleep, sleep, rest, rest,” he said.
According to Amali, players must be able to take advantage of the opportunity because they have been called to attend the Indonesian national team training camp. Moreover, the U-19 national team players are projected to play in the 2023 U-20 World Cup.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to be called up like you. Not all of your age are selected for the national team and are called up. Show your best abilities,” said Amali.
He stated that it was a dream for the players to appear in the U-20 World Cup in 2023. Moreover, Indonesia was the host and it would be watched live by the people of Indonesia. “This is the World Cup, you have to show your best performance, otherwise coach Shin Tae-yong will not use it,” said the Minister of Youth and Sports.
Meanwhile, PSSI General Chair Mocahmad Iriawan said the U-19 national team training camp was not only in Indonesia, but also in South Korea. “The plan is in Indonesia until March 7 or 10. When everything is finished including the visa, I will go to South Korea to Daegu City where it is prepared there for a month and a half until April 15,” said Iriawan.
Iriawan said that 32 players were present today in preparation for the U-20 World Cup, four in the Garuda Select team, one in Greece. “It’s up to Shin Tae-yong to send how many there, later the coach will decide. Of course we hope they will practice optimally,” he said regarding the U-19 national team training camp.
Read: Shin Tae-yong Will Call Indonesian National Team Players Abroad for the SEA Games