Indonesia is hopeful of AFC Asian Cup success! "Indonesia remains optimistic that it will have a good performance at the AFC Asian Cup despite the fact that three of its best players are under the shadow of injuries," Nugroho Besus, the Secretary General of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) told AFP. Striker Boaz Salossa broke an ankle in last month's friendly win against Hong Kong and has been ruled out for four months. Forward Rachmat Rivai and defender Firmansyah were named in the squad despite their injuries.
Indonesia, a tournament co-host along with Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, are in Group D with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and South Korea and will play three friendlies, Jamaica in Jakarta on 21 June, Oman in Jakarta on 24 June and Nigeria in Palembang on 30 June before kicking off the tournament on 10 July.
"These trials are significant and Indonesia will continue to field its best players so that it can reach its peak performance at the AFC Asian Cup. The team will not play any warm-up matches abroad because our players need to get accustomed to the local atmosphere as the AFC Asian Cup will be held here," Nugroho added.
Indonesia, a tournament co-host along with Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, are in Group D with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and South Korea and will play three friendlies, Jamaica in Jakarta on 21 June, Oman in Jakarta on 24 June and Nigeria in Palembang on 30 June before kicking off the tournament on 10 July.
"These trials are significant and Indonesia will continue to field its best players so that it can reach its peak performance at the AFC Asian Cup. The team will not play any warm-up matches abroad because our players need to get accustomed to the local atmosphere as the AFC Asian Cup will be held here," Nugroho added.