REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice Chairman of the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) Zainudin Amali considers qualifying for the round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup a realistic target. Reported from the official statement of PSSI, Tuesday (26/12/2023), this was conveyed by Zainudin Amali while visiting the training center (TC) of the Indonesian national team in Antalya, Turkey.

“Of course, as coach Shin Tae-yong has said, he is aiming for us to qualify for the top 16. That's what we're hoping for. The federation certainly has to be realistic,” said Deputy General Chairman Zainudin Amali.

Earlier, Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong pegged the Garuda team's target to qualify for the round of 16. Amali said that PSSI encouraged Shin Tae-yong to realize the target.

Amali added that PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir always discussed with Shin Tae-yong about the development of the players. Currently, Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar et al are engaged in a training camp (TC) in Antalya, Turkey.

“The chairman always discussed with the coach the extent of the ability of these boys. Nor can we target the grandiose, while we are unrealistic on our own terms,” Amali said.

The Indonesian national team will undergo TC until January 6, 2024. In addition to training, the Garuda squad will also test twice with Libya on January 2 and 5.

After that, preparations continued in Qatar. And before the 2023 Asian Cup kicks off on January 12, 2024, Indonesia will challenge Iran in a friendly match on January 9.

In the 2023 Asian Cup, Indonesia is in Group D and will compete with strong teams such as Japan, Iraq and Vietnam.