PROGRES.ID– The Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, has responded to the results of the draw for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which placed the Indonesian U-17 National Team in Group A alongside strong teams like Ecuador, Morocco, and Panama.
This draw is indeed positive news for the team under the guidance of Bima Sakti, as they managed to avoid a tough group often referred to as the “group of death,” like Group D, which includes formidable teams such as Japan, Argentina, Senegal, and Poland. Additionally, Group E also consists of powerful nations considered strong contenders for the championship, including France, South Korea, the United States, and Burkina Faso.
Erick Thohir expressed his thoughts on this draw, stating, “This is the best draw we could hope for, even though we may have had different expectations. Looking at the three opponents in our group, we still have hope. Hopefully, we can successfully navigate the group stage,” Erick said in a statement released through the official PSSI website.
Erick Thohir also emphasized that the players of the Indonesian U-17 National Team must enter the matches with high spirits and determination. They should not be afraid and must work diligently to achieve their goal, which is to advance from the group stage.
“We should not feel intimidated, even though we are automatically qualified as the host nation. We must prove that we deserve to participate in this FIFA U-17 World Cup,” Erick emphasized.
To achieve the best results in this tournament, the Indonesian U-17 National Team will soon be flown to Germany for a training camp. This step is crucial in preparing the team optimally, so they can compete effectively and uphold the hopes of the entire Indonesian nation in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
