KOMPAS.com – The International Football Federation (FIFA) officially canceled the 2021 U20 World Cup.
The U20 World Cup was originally planned to take place from May 20 to June 12, 2021.
However, FIFA decided to cancel the U20 World Cup until 2023.
This was conveyed by FIFA on Thursday (24/12/2020) evening WIB.
Also read: PSSI’s response after FIFA withdraws the 2021 U20 World Cup schedule
However, Indonesia will still host the biggest soccer event in the U20 category.
After the 2021 U20 World Cup was canceled, what would happen to the Indonesian U19 national team under Shin Tae-yong’s direction?
The reason is, the Garuda Muda squad that is currently being forged cannot appear at the 2023 U20 World Cup due to age barriers.
In fact, the Indonesian U19 national team has made a number of preparations by undergoing training camp (TC).
The inaugural TC of the U19 national team with coach Shin Tae-yong was held in Croatia in August-October 2020.
The Indonesian U19 national team is then scheduled to fly to Spain on Saturday (26/12/2020) to hold a follow-up TC.
PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan said that nothing was in vain even though in the end the 2021 U20 World Cup was canceled.
He emphasized that the next U19 national team could have more time to prepare.
“The national team that we will prepare later can take advantage of the additional time and continue the program to prepare for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup,” said Iriawan as quoted from the PSSI website.
Regarding the current Indonesian U19 national team, they will also undergo a number of trial matches in Spain.
Also read: The hope behind the cancellation of the 2021 U20 World Cup
This was done as part of the preparations for the 2021 U20 World Cup.
However, the Indonesian U19 national team is alleged to have continued the TC activities.
Apart from preparing for the U20 World Cup, a series of training camps in Spain is also to prepare the players to appear in the U19 Asian Cup.
The U19 Asian Cup is the closest tournament the Indonesian U19 national team will participate in.
The competition is scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan, 3 to 20 March 2021.
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