Erick Thohir Affirms the U-22 National Team’s Victory Euphoria Has Ended

– General Chair of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, emphasized that the euphoria of the victory for the Indonesian U-22 National Team in the 2023 SEA Games is over and now the focus is on events furthermore.

The figure who is also the Minister of SOEs admitted that he was moved by the welcome of the Indonesian fans and the Indonesian people to the U-22 National Team. Erick said the public had the same feelings as the players who managed to end their fasting for gold at the SEA Games football event, which was last mentioned 32 years ago.

Erick stated that the procession which had been held since morning was a form of appreciation by PSSI and the Ministry of Youth and Sport for the struggle of Marselino Ferdinan and friends. However, Erick advised the players not to get lost in happiness.

“I think the euphoria is over. Now we are preparing again for events next,” Erick told the media at the U-22 National Team victory celebration at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Jakarta, Friday (19/5/2023).

Erick said appreciation was commonplace for Young Garudas who managed to bring home a gold medal. However, Erick did not want the euphoria that occurred to be overly responded to so that the players felt satisfied.

“This should not let our national team be praised for flying, later criticized for falling. This is what we have to guard against. We really have to prepare. These young people will become the core of the development of the future national team,” said Erick.

Erick said PSSI had prepared short, medium and long term plans for the national team players. Erick said that the national team had to prepare for a number of major tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Asian Games and the Asian Cup.

Erick hopes that the Asian Games can become a means for national team players to improve their playing experience. Because of that, the General Chairperson of PSSI emphasized that he would send the SEA Games National Team under Indra Sjafri to the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Currently, Indonesia is also preparing Shin Tae Yong’s senior team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2024 AFC Match in Qatar, it is hoped that they will be able to give their best performance to increase Indonesia’s ranking on FIFA.

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