Indonesia U-20 head coach Nova Arianto is actively expanding his search for new talent to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2027 AFC U-20 Asian Cup in China. With the tournament scheduled to run from March 24 to April 1, 2027, the coaching staff is using the remaining five months to address specific positional gaps, particularly in the wingback, center-back, and wing positions.
Nova is evaluating several candidates, including Joshua Baker, the brother of national team forward Mitchell Baker. Joshua previously participated in a training camp in China this past September. While Joshua has previously appeared for Hong Kong’s youth national teams, his eligibility remains a point of interest for the Indonesian coaching staff.
“As long as they have Indonesian blood, they have the opportunity to play for the Indonesian national team.”
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Testing Squad Depth in Turkey
To evaluate these potential additions, the Indonesian squad is scheduled to travel to Antalya, Turkey, for a training camp during the November 2026 FIFA Matchday window. This period allows the coaching staff to assess players who are currently active in domestic and international leagues, including the Super League and the Championship, without disrupting their club commitments.
According to Bola.com, the team will play two high-profile friendly matches against Jordan on November 11 and the United States on November 16. Nova selected these opponents specifically because their quality is higher than that of the current Indonesian U-20 side, providing a rigorous test for the team and new trialists.
Monitoring Domestic Talent in Liga 2
Beyond international options, the coaching staff is also monitoring performances in the domestic second tier, known as the Championship. Ousmane Maiket Camara, a forward playing for Kendal Tornado FC, has emerged as a player of interest after scoring three goals during the current season.
Nova noted that the team’s current structure requires reinforcements in specific defensive and attacking roles. “I am grateful that in Liga 2 there are several players who are performing very well, one of them is Camara, who plays for Kendal Tornado and has already scored three goals,” Nova said. The coaching staff intends to provide these domestic players with opportunities to prove their development during the upcoming training sessions.
Joshua Baker’s Path to the National Team
The potential inclusion of Joshua Baker has generated significant public interest, particularly given his brother Mitchell Baker’s prominence in the senior national team. As reported by Bolasport.com and Suara, Joshua has previously been involved with Hong Kong’s U-20 and U-23 squads and appeared on a preliminary roster for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Because he has not yet played for a senior national team and is under 21, FIFA regulations allow him to represent the country of his heritage.
Whether Joshua Baker will finalize his transition to the Indonesian setup remains an open question. While he has already been integrated into the team’s training environment, the coaching staff has yet to confirm a permanent role for him or any other trialist. The upcoming matches in Turkey will serve as the primary benchmark for the coaching staff to determine which players will form the core of the squad heading into the final stages of preparations for the 2027 tournament in China.
