Bima Sakti No Longer As Coach Of U-19 Team

JAKARTA, April 11 (Antara) - The Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) has decided Bima Sakti is no longer at the position as coach of the Indonesian under-19 years old national soccer team (Timnas U-19), and will focus his attention to train the under-23 years old soccer team (Timnas U-23). "PSSI has decided Bima Sakti to help the Timnas U-23 as what needed ahead of the 2018 Asian Games. Thus, preparation of the team can be done optimally and maturely," PSSI's secretary general, Ratu Tisha Destria, said here on Tuesday. She further said, the replacement coach for the Timnas U-19 will be immediately decided through the PSSI's Executive Committee meeting. Bima Sakti handled the Timnas U-19 team for around two months, replacing the former coach Indra Sjafri. Under Bima Sakti's leadership, the Timnas U-19 were crushed 0-5 by their senior team Timnas U-23, and lost 1-4 to the Japanese team. Indra Sjafri is the most successful coach in the history of the U-19 national team after he took his players to become the AFF Cup champion of U-19 in 2013. Currently, PSSI is focusing its attention to prepare the Timnas U-23 to compete in the upcoming Asian Games with its target to enter the semifinals. In addition, the Timnas U-23 will participate in the international tournament of the PSSI Anniversary Cup to be held from April 27 to May 3 in Pakansari stadium in Bogor, West Java Province. Foreign teams that will take part in the Anniversary Cup are from Malaysia, Bahrain and North Korea.