KUTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia will undergo a FIFA Matchday trial on 27 and 30 January 2022 against Timor Leste at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium.
This is the first meeting between the two teams after last meeting in the 2018 AFF Cup.
In this match, Indonesia will not be strengthened by all its “abroad players”, aka players who take part abroad.
They include Egy Maulana Vikri, Witan Sulaeman, Asnawi Mangkualam, and Elkan Baggot, who previously participated in the 2020 AFF Cup.
They are absent because of the policies of their respective clubs.
Read also: Shin Tae-yong said about Timor Leste: Sorry, Not Too Good
However, coach Shin Tae-yong ensured that it would not affect the strength of the Garuda squad.
Here are 7 facts about the players who will appear on the FIFA Matchday Indonesia vs Timor Leste:
1. Shin Tae-yong still retains the majority of the composition of the 2020 AFF Cup
Of the 27 players called up, 19 players are the 2020 AFF Cup squad.
The eight new players are Muhammad Adi Satrio (goalkeeper, Persik Kediri), Achmad Figo (right fullback, Arema FC), Bayu Fiqri (right fullback, Persib Bandung), Terens Puhiri (winger, Borneo FC), Sani Rizki (midfielder, Bhayangkara FC), Marselino Ferdinand (midfielder, Persebaya Surabaya), Ronaldo Kwateh (forward, Madura United), and Muhammad Rafli (forward, Arema FC).
2. Of the eight names of new players, five of them are debutants in the senior national team
They are Adi Satriyo, Achmad Figo Ramadani, Bayu Fiqri, Marselino Ferdinand, and Ronaldo Kwateh.
However, all of the players are not really new to the Indonesian national team because they were involved in the age group national team, both during selection, undergoing training camps, to strengthening in official competitions.
One of them is Achmad Figo who has been selected for the 2019 U18 national team under Fakhri Husaini’s care.
Also read: Indonesia vs Timor Leste National Team Schedule Clashes with One League Match 1
3. Of the 27 players, 14 of them entered the U23 criteria
This is not surprising because this trial is really intended for the 2022 AFF U23 Cup in Cambodia in February.
In addition, there are a total of 11 players with an age range of 20 years and under. Five of them are still in their teens, namely Ernando Ari (19), Ramai Rumakiek (19), Elkan Baggot (19), Marselino Ferdinand (17), and Ronaldo Kwateh (17).
4. Timor Leste has the same idea as Indonesia
Through their social media accounts, the Timor Leste Football Federation (FFTL) confirmed that they had fielded the U23 national team in the match that was included in the FIFA Matchday calendar.
The Indonesian national team during training to prepare for the FIFA Matchday trial at the Gelora Trisakti Stadium in Kuta, Bali, Friday (21/1/2022) afternoon.5. Indonesia only has one player over 30 years old
The player is Fachrudin Aryanto, who is now 32 years old. Below him, there is Dedik Setiawan who is 27 years old.
6. Ronaldo Kwateh and Marselino Ferdinand have the potential to break the record for the youngest players of all time to play for the senior national team
When he plays in the first match on the 27th, Ronaldo Kwateh will be 17 years, 3 months, 8 days, while Marselino will be 17 years, 4 months, 18 days.
They will break the record of Witan Sulaeman who made his debut at the age of 17 years, 5 months and 17 days.
The record was inscribed by Witan during a friendly against Myanmar in 2017.
Also read: PSSI gives a signal that the Indonesian Vs Timor Leste National Team Match Can be Attended by Spectators
7. A total of four players took part in Indonesia’s last meeting against Timor Leste
The last match Indonesia vs Timor Leste was in the 2018 AFF Cup Group B elimination.
There were four players who were defending Indonesia at that time and now have the opportunity to meet Timor Leste again.
They are Dedik Setiawan, Irfan Jaya, Fachrudin Aryanto, and Evan Dimas. In that meeting, Indonesia won the match with a score of 3-1.
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