U-19 soccer team to undergo foreign tryouts

U-19 soccer team to undergo foreign tryouts.

JAKARTA -- The national soccer team of under 19 years old (Timnas U-19) that will participate in the International Championship AFC U-19 in Myanmar in October 2014, completed domestic tryouts for "Tur Nusantara" or Archipelago Tour.

In its 13 domestic tryout matches, the Timnas won in ten matches, while the rest ended in a draw.

The U-19 team has prepared for the foreign tryout matches in accordance with the schedule set by the National Soccer Team Board (BTN).

The team will leave for the Middle East on April 1 for the foreign tryouts and is expected to face the Oman soccer team on April 10.

Prior to facing the Oman soccer squad, the Timnas U-19 was scheduled to perform the Umrah or minor hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

BTN's chairman, La Nyalla Mattalitti saw off the U-19 team in Jakarta on Monday, March 31.

According to Mattalitti, the journey of the Garuda Jaya national team (Timnas U-19) is still far because the International Championship AFC U-19 in Myanmar will be held in October 2014. Thus, the team should concentrate on training.

"We (Timnas) are still far away from our goal, so we need inputs and criticisms from everyone, including the media," Mattalitti said.

Mattalitti believed that the burden of the Indonesian Timnas U-19 is getting heavier due to the observations of the public and the media on the performance of the squad.

Meanwhile, the Timnas U-19 coach, Indra Sjafri said, "During the Archipelago Tour, the Timnas showed improvement, but we will continue making evaluation before leaving for the Middle East."

The evaluation will cover all aspects. To that end, Indra said he would request reports from all ranks of coaches and supporting teams who have played an active role in the team's development.

"Of course the Timnas improved after playing in 13 domestic tryout matches, but we haven't yet analyzed it in detail. We will be better informed about the development of the team after collecting data," Indra added.

Previously, Indra noted that 29 players had been selected and will be continuously monitored, especially during the tryouts.

"If a few of them cannot meet the requirements set by the team coach, the unprepared players should quit the Timnas," Indra said.

The 29 football players who have undergone the second stage (domestic) training are as follows:

Goalkeepers: Ravi Murdianto, Awan Setho Raharjo and M. Diky Indrayana

Backs: M. Sahrul Kurniawan, Hansamu Yama Pranata, Febly Gushendra, Ryuji Utomo Wibowo, S. Putu Gede Juni Antara, M. Fatchu Rochman, Mahdi Fahri Albaar, Eriyanto and Bagas Adi Nugroho.

Midfielder: Hargianto, Evan Dimas Darmono, Zulfiandi, Iksan Kurniawan, Hendra Sandi Gunawan, Alqomar Tehupelasury, Irfandy Zein Alzubeidy and Paulo Okyavianus Sitanggang.

Frontline: Ilham Udin Armaiyn, Maldini Pali, Yabes Roni Malaifani, Miftahul Hamdi, M. Dimas Drajad, M. Reza Fahlevi Sitorus, Muchlis Hadi Ning Syaifulloh, Dinan Yahdian Javier and Septian David Maulana.

In the International Championship AFC U-19 in Myanmar, the Timnas U-19 was expected to at least be in the top four.

If the team can meet the target, Evan Dimas Darmono (team captain) and his friends will qualify for the U-20 World Cup in Australia next year.

Last year, the Timnas U-19 defeated the "powerful" South Korean club at the qualification final group G of AFC, in Jakarta's Bung Karno main stadium.

With this victory, the Indonesian squad automatically qualified for the finals match of the AFC U-19 Cup, to be held in Myanmar in 2014, after earning nine points from victories in all the three matches.

The match was played in heavy rains and the Timnas continued to apply pressure on the South Korean players. Evan Dimas, the Timnas captain, scored three goals at the 30th, 49th, and 85th minute.

The Timnas U-19 defeated the South Korean club 3-2 (1-1) at the qualification final group G of AFC Cup U-19.

The Indonesian younger soccer team was at the qualification final group G of AFC Cup along with South Korea, Laos and the Philippines.

It was the Indonesia's first victory for the U-19 squad in the AFF tournament.

With this victory, the Indonesian squad automatically heads to the finals match of the AFC U-19 Cup in Myanmar in 2014, by having earned nine points in three matches. (Bustanuddin)