Indra Sjafri emphasized that the SEA Games Football Gold Medal is a must

– The coach of the Indonesian U-22 National Team, Indra Sjafri, emphasized that the SEA Games gold medal from the football branch is a must and is the main mission of him and his troops.

The trainer from West Sumatra revealed that it had been a long time since Indonesia had won the SEA Games football championship, so now was the right time to bring it up.

“Indeed, we have not won a gold medal for 32 years and this is our mission,” said Indra Sjafri in a press conference ahead of the match against the Philippines in Phnon Penh, Friday (28/4), as quoted Between.

The Indonesian U-22 national team will play its first match at the SEA Games against the Philippines, Saturday (29/4/2023) starting at 16.00 WIB at the National Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh.

However, the coach who made his debut at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games and won silver was reluctant to comment technically regarding the inaugural match against the Philippines.

“I can’t comment technically on the Philippines. But almost all opponents; Timor Leste, Myanmar and Cambodia, for Indonesia are opponents that must be responded well. How to respond, wait two 45 minutes,” said Indra Sjafri.

The coach who led the U-22 Indonesian national team to win the 2019 AFF U-22 Cup in Cambodia was quite impressed with the National Olympic Stadium field, Phnom Penh, which will be the venue for the match.

“First I was very impressed with Cambodia, after I first came in 2019 to take part in the AFF U-22 Cup tournament and at that time we won, what is different now is that the field is very good,” said Indra Sjafri.

The U-22 Indonesian National Team is in Group A along with hosts Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor Leste and the Philippines. Group A is considered lighter by various parties because there is no defending champion Vietnam and a tough team from Thailand.

Asked about the possible opponents that the Indonesian national team will face if they qualify from Group A, Indra Sjafri wants his team to focus first on qualifying from the group stage.

“Indonesia is especially focused on how to go through match by match to qualify in the group. Then who will be the opponent, we don’t want to predict and will not choose who the opponent will be,” said the coach who brought the Indonesian national team to silver at the 2019 SEA Games.