RI Prepares 23 Best Players for Asian Cup

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian National Team Board (BTN) is preparing its 23 best players to compete in the U-16 Asia Cup qualifying rounds in Malaysia on September 21-29. The Indonesian team dubbed "Garuda Muda" will play in group J, along with Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, BTN said on Friday. The team is mostly made up of players fielded in the U-16 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup last year when they lost to Malaysia in the finals. Seven of the 23 players are newcomers. Indonesia will play against Vietnam in the opening match on September 25, and later against Japan and the Philippines. Only the best teams will advance to the U-16 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup finals in Thailand next year. Sixteen football clubs will compete in the finals. As a host, Thailand will get a direct slot in the tournament proper. Following are players of the U-16 Indonesian national team: Goalkeepers: Panggih Prio Sembodho, Yusuf Wahyu Prayuda, and Achmad Iqbal Bachtiar. Defenders: Hendra Putra Satriya, Samuel Christianson, Jujun Saepulloh, Dandi Maulana Abdulhak, Anang Kustiawan, Habibi, Muhammad Dimas Hagiharso and Reva Adi Utama. Midfielders, Riyanto, Dimas Rafli Maldini Ahmad, Reksa Maulana, Mahir Radja Satya: Dody Alfayed, Asnawi Mangkualam, Dicky Rhomadhona Firmansyah dan Habib Arif Fadila. Forwards: Bernandus Fernando Hilvan Klau, Gatot Wahyudi, Ichtio Nimatul Akbar dan Muhammad Awal Fadjri. (*)