SEA Games 31: Indonesia’s U23 key players absent in opening match
Two talented players of the Indonesian U23 men’s football team, Asnawi Mangkualam and Elkan Baggott, have not yet landed in Vietnam so they will definitely miss the match against the Vietnamese U23 team on May 6.
Indonesian team coach Shin Tae-yong (second from left) at the press conference. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Two talented players of the Indonesian U23 men’s football team,Asnawi Mangkualam and Elkan Baggott, have not yet landed in Vietnam so they willdefinitely miss the match against the Vietnamese U23 team on May 6.
Theformer plays for Ipswich Town in the UK while the latter is a member of the AnsanGreeners FC of the Republic of Korea (RoK).
Asthe two clubs do not allow the players to go, so they will not arrive inVietnam before May 8.
Accordingto General Secretary of the Indonesian Football Association Yunus Nusi, Asnawistill has to play for the Ansan Greeners FC on May 7, adding that he will go toVietnam to join the Indonesian U23 team after the match.
Ina statement to the press on May 6, President of the IndonesianFootball Association Mochamad Iriawan said currently, the two players have notyet joined the team. However, 18 players are in good condition and they areready for the match against Vietnam.
Hesaid he is optimistic that the Indonesian U23 team can win the gold medal in football.
Meanwhile,Indonesian team coach Shin Tae-yong said the two teams have met twice and the Vietnamese team is better.
However,they have a lot of good players who are playing abroad, he said at a pressconference, adding that this is very good for Indonesian football.
🅺 TheIndonesia U23 squad will be at a disadvantage when U23 team of Vietnam can playin their home country with the support of a large number of fans, Shin said. However, he also said he believesthat Indonesian players will get good results./.
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Indonesian team coach Shin Tae-yong (second from left) at the press conference. (Photo: VNA) 
