REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SOLO -- The Indonesian national team managed to win the opening match of Group A of the ASEAN U-16 Boys Championship or AFF U-16 Cup. Facing Singapore at Manahan Stadium, Solo, on Friday (21/6/2024) night, Nova Arianto's team won 3-0 over Singapore.

Responding to the results, PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir asked the players not to be complacent about winning the inaugural match. Because, he said, the first goal of the U-16 team is to qualify for the group phase of the AFF U-16 Cup first.

“We won 3-0 but don't be complacent we are aiming for Laos to qualify for the group as well as winning 3-0. Not to mention in the other group Thailand, Australia I haven't seen the game but since we are AFF champions yes we are focused on group champions. It will only be what the semifinals will look like,” Erick said when he met at the Alila Solo Hotel after the match.

Erick judged Garuda Asia to have shown good progress. In fact, the Nova Arianto training team was formed only two months ago.

“I was trying to find the hotel where they were staying, and I said, 'Can I sleep? ' Indeed their early age there is a burdened thing,” Erick said.

He said that for the first 10 to 15 minutes, the U-16 team was still looking for form. This is their first international match after being together for about two months. “We've seen their physical progress is very good,” he said.

Erick also rated Nova Arianto's individual ski squad as good. However, teamwork needs to be honed again.

“If we look at them today the individual skills are there, but the cohesiveness still takes time,” he said.

On the other hand, Nova said there were some records in the inaugural match. One of them is the many opportunities that Garuda Asia has not been able to take advantage of in the early matches.

“There were a lot of chances that should have been goals, and that has been our record all along, including in the trials. I think, all the players have performed to their maximum,” Nova said.

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