Chair of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), Erick Thohir (front center), reviewing the readiness of the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java, to host the U-17 World Cup on Monday (October 9, 2023). ANTARA/HO-West Java District Government/rst
Maybe at the end of 2024, when our calendar is a bit free, we will try for itJakarta (ANTARA) – Chair of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir has conveyed his intention to arrange international friendly matches for the Indonesian national team with Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands.
According to him, his party has initiated talks with the football federations of the three countries on conducting a FIFA-friendly match day with Indonesia.
"The plan to conduct friendly matches received a positive response from the three football federations. Their responses were quite good," he informed while traveling with a delegation from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on a Whoosh fast train to Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java.
In a statement received here on Monday, Thohir said the plan was good news for Indonesian football enthusiasts. Earlier, he successfully arranged for world champion Argentina's national football team to play in Indonesia.
"I have contacted Portugal, the Netherlands, and Germany football federations. However, we still have to confirm the calendar of events since there are a number of World Cup qualification matches in November, March, and June. While in Europe, they also have qualification matches in the same months," he informed.
Thohir, who is also serving as the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister, said that his party is currently preparing a schedule to bring at least one of the three strongest football teams in the world to Indonesia.
"I do not think we can make it in early and mid-2024. Maybe at the end of 2024, when our calendar is a bit free, we will try for it," he disclosed.
Thohir said that the friendly match plan will also need to be prepared carefully. In the meantime, he added, he will try to find a balanced opponent for Indonesia for a friendly match to boost Indonesia's ranking.
"We cannot only play against strong teams. We must think about our ranking as well. We also hope that in the World Cup qualification, our ranking will increase and we can play against big teams," he added.
Related news: PUPR Ministry, PSSI inspect GBT Stadium ahead of U-17 World Cup
Related news: FIFA disburses Rp85.6 billion to build IKN National Training Center
Related news: Ministry allocates US$26 million for FIFA U-17 World Cup
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta SulistiyandariEditor: Sri Haryati Copyright © ANTARA 2023
