The Indonesian National Team Cancels Participation in the 2022 AFF U23 Cup

KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian national team, made by coach from South Korea, Shin Tae-yong, has certainly not participated in the PSSI Contra with Shin Tae-yong”>2022 AFF U23 Cup which will take place in Cambodia on February 14-26.

The cancellation regarding the participation of the Indonesian national team in the 2022 AFF U23 Cup was announced by PSSI on Friday (11/2/2022).

Based on PSSI’s statement, there are two reasons that made the Indonesian national team cancel participating in the 2022 AFF U23 Cup.

First, the Indonesian national team was attacked by a Covid-19 storm after seven players and one official tested positive for Covid-19.

Also read: List of Participants and Group Division of the 2022 AFF U23 Cup

The seven players who tested positive for Covid-19 were Ronaldo Joybera R Junior, Muhammad Ferrari, Braif Fatari, Taufik Hidayat, Irfan Jauhari, Ahmad Figo Ramadhani, and Cahya Supriyadi.

In addition, there are four players who are waiting for the incubation period because they share the same room with those who have been exposed to COVID-19.

The four players are Alfeandra Dewangga, Genta Alparedo, Muhammad Kanu Helmiawan, and Marcelino Ferdinand.

Then, for the second reason, there were three injured players, namely Gunansar Mandowen, Ramai Rumakiek, and Muhammad Iqbal.

Also read: Malaysia National Team Ahead of AFF U23 Cup: Hold Saddil Club, 1 Positive for Covid-19, 4 Players Come

The three players suffered injuries while strengthening their respective clubs in the 2021-2022 Liga 1 performance.

This condition made Shin Tae-yong send an official letter to the federation and propose to cancel Indonesia’s participation in the AFF U-23 Cup. Shin Tae-yong’s request was then responded to by PSSI.

After going through discussions between PSSI General Chair Mochamad Iriawan, Deputy Iwan Budianto, Secretary General Yunus Nusi, Technical Director Indra Sjafri, and coach Shin Tae-yong it was finally decided to cancel Indonesia’s participation in the tournament.

“It is with great regret that we have to cancel Indonesia’s participation in the U-23 AFF Cup for the reasons above. We apologize to all parties because this situation is beyond our control,” said Yunus Nusi, quoted from the official PSSI website.

“Currently we are focusing on healing players affected by COVID-19 and injured,” said Yunus Nusi.

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