PSSI Wants Indonesia to Overlook 2022 AFF Cup and Focus on the Asian Cup
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12 January 2023 12:51 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), Mochamad Iriawan, does not want the players, coaches, and officials of the Indonesia national team to remain downed after their loss at the 2022 AFF Cup. Indonesia's national team failed to meet their target to win the cup after losing 0-2 to Vietnam in the second leg match of the semifinals on Monday, 9 January 2023.
"Even though we have not yet been the champions, we must look at the future with high optimism. The players and coaches have tried their best, we have to appreciate that. Keep the spirit and keep fighting for the next event to be even better," said Iriawan, quoted from the PSSI official website.
After the 2022 AFF Cup, Indonesia will participate in the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup on 1-18 March 2023 in Uzbekistan, competing against 16 countries. "This U20 Asian Cup is very important for us. This is a test before we could be the host for the U-20 World Cup at a later time," said Iriawan.
Mochamad Iriawan has also added that currently the players and all Indonesian national team officials, have returned to the country after their match in Vietnam. Some went straight to their respective clubs as the second round of the 2022-2023 BRI League 1 will start soon, but some other players remained in Jakarta.
"BRI League 1 is starting and the players are returning to their respective clubs. Of course, some players have to leave Indonesia again to play for their clubs abroad. The important thing is that they must remain enthusiastic to pursue even better achievements," said Iriawan.
The coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-Yong apologized to the Indonesian fans for failing to win the 2022 AFF Cup. The South Korean coach positively assessed Indonesia's potential, although he admitted that there was still a lot of homework to be done.
With the defeat at the 2022 AFF Cup, the Indonesian national team has never yet won against Vietnam in nine meetings on both senior and U-23 for the last five years.
SKOR.ID | IMAJI LASAHIDO (INTERN)
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