CNN Indonesia
Tuesday, 04 Apr 2023 20:20 WIB
Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —
Bima Sakti’s U-16 Indonesian National Team will be prepared if Indonesia is chosen to stage 2023 U-17 World Cup.
This was revealed by PSSI Vice Chairman Zainudin Amali on Tuesday (4/4). However, Amali is reluctant to speculate further because PSSI is now focused on ensuring that it is not subject to FIFA sanctions following its cancellation of hosting the 2023 U-20 World Cup.
“We are ready for the U-20s, the level is below that,” said Amali.
“Yes, the national team that won the AFF, Bima Sakti. That’s okay.”
The U-16 Indonesian National Team has been disbanded after appearing in the 2023 U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers last October. In that event, the Garuda Asia team failed to qualify for the final round via the best runner-up route.
Prior to that, Arkhan Kaka and his friends managed to make Indonesia proud after coming out as champions of the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup. The U-16 Indonesian national team won after beating Vietnam 0-1 thanks to Muhammad Kafiatur Rizky’s goal in the final.
The host status for the 2023 U-17 World Cup is still uncertain. This was after FIFA canceled the 2023 U-17 World Cup because it was unable to complete the infrastructure needed to hold the tournament.
FIFA’s decision regarding Peru is different from the letter sent to Indonesia. In revoking the status of the host for the 2023 U-20 World Cup, FIFA did not state the reasons clearly by only using the terms of the current situation.
Because Indonesia’s preparations to host the U-20 World Cup are almost complete, it is believed that hosting the U-17 World Cup will not have any problems. Moreover, Israel is definitely not a contestant.
It’s just that the matter of hosting the U-17 World Cup instead of Peru depends on FIFA. The reason is that the FIFA Council will also discuss sanctions for Indonesia failing to hold the U-20 World Cup.
(January/June)
