We have discussed the matter with PSSI (the Indonesian Football Association). But, we don't know what objective and which teams they will play with abroad due to the current (COVID-19) pandemic situation.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian U-16 football team will undergo an overseas training course in October and November this year, its coach, Bima Sakti, confirmed.
“We have discussed the matter with PSSI (the Indonesian Football Association). But, we don't know what objective and which teams they will play with abroad due to the current (COVID-19) pandemic situation,” he said at an online press conference here on Saturday.
Overseas training will help prepare the national team for the U-16 Asian Cup, he said. Indonesia has been placed in Group D for the competition along with China, Saudi Arabia, and defending champion Japan.
“Our rivals in the group phase have good quality and good preparations so our preparations must be better than theirs,” the coach remarked.
He said overseas training would be safer for his squad amid the pandemic.
“Here (the COVID-19 cases) are growing rapidly. If we move our training overseas, though it is far, it will be safer," he explained.
After the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the U-16 team trained at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi, West Java, in July and August and Wibawa Mukti in Cikarang, West Java, in September. (INE)
Related news: Jakarta's GBK Stadium prepared to host 2021 U-20 World Cup
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Michael Siahaan/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
