Home » Indonesia to send U21 team to compete at 2024 AFF Cup

Indonesia to send U21 team to compete at 2024 AFF Cup

In a surprising update, Indonesia decided to send the U21 team to compete at the 2024 AFF Cup, which will take place from December to January.

Indonesia’s head coach, Shin Tae-yong, called up a squad of 33 players, only two of whom are over 21 years old, for the coming regional championship.

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Indonesia has only two players over 21 years old in the AFF squad.

While the strategy is strange, the South Korean manager explained that it is a chance for the youngsters to battle at a major tournament. However, the main reason behind the choices was believed to be the struggle to convince the mother clubs to release their key players.

According to sources, the majority of clubs did not want their players to play in the AFF Cup since this tournament is not part of FIFA’s system.

“This is a chance for the U22 players to follow in the footsteps of the senior,” Erik Thohir, Head of PSSI, explained to local outlet Antara.

“We are also considering this as preparation for SEA Games 33.”

There will be no players in the squad that stunned Arab Saudi 2-0 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Only 10 of the latest call-ups were previously capped for the national team. Six familiar faces include Arhan, Asnawi, Justin Hubner, Marcelino Ferdinan, Ivar Jenner, and Rafael Struick.

Indonesia will have the next 13 days to prepare for the kick-off. They are in Group B of the AFF Cup 2024, battling Myanmar at the away game on 9/12.

Indonesia has reached the final six times in the past 14 AFF Cup but has never tasted glory. Thailand is still the record winner with seven trophies (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022). Singapore is second (1998, 2004, 2007, 2012), Việt Nam (2008, 2018), and Malaysia (2010) share third and fourth place.

Indonesia’s squad at AFF Cup 2024

Goalkeeper(4): Cahya Supriadi (Bekasi City), Daffa Fasya (Borneo), Erlangga Setyo (PSPS Pekanbaru), Ikram Algiffari (Semen Padang)

Defender(13): Achmad Maulana (Arema), Kadek Arel Priyatna (Bali United), Justin Hubner (Wolverhampton), Alfan Suaib, Mikael Alfredo Tata (Persebaya), Dzaky Asraf, Sulthan Zaky (PSM Makassar), Asnawi Mangkualam (Port FC), Dony Tri Pamungkas, Muhammad Ferarri (Persija Jakarta), Kakang Rudianto, Robi Darwis (Persib Bangdung), Pratama Arhan (Suwon FC)

Midfielder(11): Arkhan Fikri (Arema FC), Rivaldo Eneiro (Borneo), Rayhan Hannan (Persija Jakarta), Zanadin Fariz (Persis Solo), Alfriyanto Nico Saputro (Dewa United), Victor Benjamin Dethan, Ananda Raehan Alif (PSM Makassar), I Made Tito Wiratama (Bali United), Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht), Marselino Ferdinan (Oxford United), Armando Obet Oropa (PSBS Biak)

Striker: (5): Rafael Struick (Brisbane Roar), Arkhan Kata Putra (Persis Solo), Ronado Joybera (Muangthong United), Arsa Ramadan Ahmad (Madura United), Hokky Caraka (PSS Sleman).