Indra Sjafri, former head coach of Bali United, will finalize the selection of Indonesia U-19 national team in April, with plans to involve several Indonesian youth players currently living overseas.
Indra will also hold another training camp at the Atang Sutrisna football court in Cijantung, East Jakarta on Sunday (March 19), which is expected to involve 35 youth footballers the coach has selected from an initial list of 75 players from the selection phase earlier this month.
The Indonesian Football Association has sent invitations to 12 young footballers training abroad with some of the world’s premier clubs to play for the Indonesian U-19 team. Of the 12 players invited, 5 currently reside in Spain, 3 in Italy, 2 in the United Kingdom, 1 in Greece and 1 in Qatar.
“The training camp will last until April 6. Then, from April 6 to April 10, Indonesian youth footballers from abroad will join in,” Indra told the press on Thursday.
Players who excel in the four key aspects – individual skill, tactical awareness, physical ability and mental strength – will be selected to be part of the U-19 national team to compete in AFF U-18 Championship in Myanmar this September.
Ajax Amsterdam’s Ezra Walian, who is currently awaiting his Indonesian passport, was not selected due to age restrictions, since only players born on or after Jan. 1, 1999 are eligible to compete in the tournament.