REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI does not distinguish coaches who play for the Indonesian national team in different age groups. Shin Tae-yong, Indra Sjafri, and Nova Arianto were all asked to lead the Indonesian national team to the World Cup.
Senior target Coach Shin was asked to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Then Coach Indra aimed to take the U-20 team to compete in the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile. Coach Nova is expected to lead the U-17 team to compete in the 2025 Qatar U-17 World Cup.
“So I'm no different from coach STY, coach Nova, and coach Indra. Anyway, the promise was to bring (the team to) the World Cup,” PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir told reporters in Jakarta on Friday (8/11/2024).
The Senior team is currently ranked in the top five Group C of the third round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifier. After losing numbers in Bahrain and China, finishing in the top two to qualify outright looked difficult. But there is at least a chance of finishing in the top four in order to advance to the fourth round of qualifying for tickets to the US, Canada and Mexico.
The U-20 team will compete in the 2025 China U-20 Asia Cup. Indonesia must finish at least in the top four in order to compete in the U-20 World Cup in the same year.
Meanwhile, the U-17 team will compete in the 2015 U-17 Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia. The U-17 team's target was relatively easier. Finishing in the top eight or the quarter-finals alone is enough to ensure a ticket to the 2025 Qatar U-17 World Cup.
Erick insists that the journey is still a long one. All will have to work hard to achieve that goal. On his way, he said, there will definitely be obstacles in the way.
Erick exemplified a senior team that was originally expected to collect 15 points, now revised to 12 for missing out on away games in Bahrain and China. He said he always expected the team to get points in every game.
“At that time I gave 15 points for 10 games, today we have four games to get three points, which means to get 15 points is not easy, the best is 12 points. What does it mean? ranking 3-4. We work hard and I always want to get points every game,” Erick said.
Earlier, Indra stated his readiness to take the U-20 team to the semifinals of the 2025 U-20 Asian Cup in favor of a ticket to play in the U-20 World Cup.
“We are only four games away from qualifying for the U-20 World Cup. Please pray and support from all Indonesians,” he said after the U-20 Asian Cup draw.
On several occasions, Indra delivered on this target gaining the full support of the PSSI. The programs he designed have always been fully supported by Ketum PSSI Erick Thohir. From providing a talent pool of players, including bringing in diaspora players needed by the team, to trials. Currently, for example, the U-20 national team is undergoing TC in Japan to face the U-20 Asian Cup.
He believes that if all elements work hard and earnestly, the goal of qualifying for the World Cup is not an unattainable dream.
Ha in tune with Nova Arianto. He along with the coaching team drew up a program of focusing training towards the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup.
“In Saudi Arabia, April was a bit hot. We will TC in hot areas also probably will be in Bali or overseas. We'll talk to the PSSI about that. The plan could be in Turkey or Qatar,” Nova explained.
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