God willing, in the next four years, these boys will become our golden era (of football).
Sleman, Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has projected the U-16 national team that had won the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-16 Cup on Friday to compete in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2025 or 2027.

Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali stated after watching the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup final match here on Friday that he and General Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Mochamad Iriawan were committed to nurturing young talents, so they would be able to be part of the U-20 national team to compete in the SEA Games.

He expressed pride over the achievement of the U-16 national team, as it defeated the Vietnamese U-16 national team in the finals, with a score of 1-0.


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Hence, he expected that the squad would maintain its good performance to become a strong national team in future.

"Hopefully, they would be able to continue (performing well) like currently," he stated.

General Chairperson of PSSI Mochamad Iriawan emphasized that his side remains committed to fostering the U-16 national team at least for the next four years.

"We will nurture this team until they (are eligible to) become the U-20 national team. Regarding their coach, it will be determined later. God willing, in the next four years, these boys will become our golden era (of football)," he remarked.

Indonesia's only goal in the final match held at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province, was scored by the team’s midfielder, Muhammad Kafiatur Rizky.

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Furthermore, the squad’s captain and centre-back, Muhammad Iqbal Gwijangge, was awarded the best player title at the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup.

Meanwhile, the other two individual awards were won by Thailand that also secured the third place in the championship. The best goalkeeper and the top scorer awards were given to Tissanu Khuptanawin and Tontawan Puntamunee for having made five goals respectively.

Currently, Indonesia has bagged two AFF U-16 Cup titles. Earlier, it won the 2018 AFF U-16 Cup that took place in Sidoarjo District, East Java Province.

Meanwhile, Vietnam had earlier also emerged as the runner-up of the tournament in 2016.

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Translator: Michael Siahaan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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