Timnas U-23
TOPKATA Sport – The Indonesian National Team is in Group A in the 2022 AFF Cup draw which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. on Tuesday, August 30, 2022
The Garuda squad will face Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and the winner of the 2022 AFF Cup qualifier between Brunei Darussalam and Timor Leste.
The AFF Cup for the first time cooperated with Mitsubishi Electric as a sponsor after previously collaborating with Suzuki. For this reason, the official name of this event is AFF Mitsubishi Electric 2022.
Regarding the results of this drawing, PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan said that the Indonesian national team was ready to face the prestigious event among Southeast Asian countries.
“The strength of all countries in Southeast Asia is currently almost developing. We are in the same group as defending champion Thailand, of course we must avenge the defeat in the 2020 AFF final and don’t underestimate the strength of other countries in group A,” said Iriawan.
“I hope that coach Shin Tae-yong has started to monitor the best players in the League 1 competition and competitions abroad. The 2022 AFF Cup can be used as preparation for the upcoming 2023 Asian Cup,” he added.
Meanwhile, coach Shin Tae-yong said that the draw results were quite good for the Indonesian national team. He also has no problem with the current system being two home and two away in the preliminary round as well as the semifinal and final home away.
“At first I was confused why Indonesia was in the third POT in this drawing, but after it was explained that the assessment of the two previous AFF events, I just understood. I will prepare the Indonesian national team well and maximally to win the 2022 AFF Cup,” said Shin Tae-yong .
Shin added that Thailand is the toughest opponent in Group A. Moreover, they have the status of defending champions of the AFF Cup.
“Thailand is of course the strongest opponent in the group. Even so, we also remain wary of all our opponents. For the selection of players I will choose the best players in condition and of course there are naturalized players. Moreover, at this time Sandy Wals, Jordy Amat, and Shayne Pattiname are still in the naturalization process. We hope that the three of them can soon join the Indonesian national team,” said the South Korean coach.
The 2022 AFF Cup is planned to start on December 20, 2022 until January 23, 2023. In the previous edition of the 2020 Cup, Indonesia won the runner-up.
