Indonesia's U-22 Soccer Team To Face Cambodia, Puerto Rico

JAKARTA, May 22 (Antara) - Following the completion of the training camp on May 7 and 10, 2017, the under-22 Indonesian soccer team (Timnas), will undergo another training camp from May 23 to 27, before playing against Cambodia and Puerto Rico in June. In the upcoming training camp, which will be held in Bali, the Timnas U-22 is expected to face two local teams, namely Persewangi Banyuwangi on Wednesday (May 24) and Bali United on Friday (May 26). According to information obtained from the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) office, Saturday, (May 20) the Timnas coach, Luis Milla, will bring 27 players for the training camp in Bali, as well as for the domestic warm-up matches. Milla replaced Alfred Riedl from Austria after the Timnas emerged as the runner-up at the 2016 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup. Concerning the training camp on May 7 and 10, Milla has expressed his satisfaction over the appearance of his squad, Bima Sakti, assistant to chief coach, quoted the Timnas coach as saying. Soon after the training camp was over, the Timnas defeated Persita Tangerang team 2-1 in the warm-up match. As many as 26 players took part in the training camp. In the meantime, one of the Timnas players, Nasir, mentioned that coach Milla had asked all the team players to put pressure on the opponents in the game, while maximizing workouts and improving concentration. "The coach has asked us to do a pass or two, always passing and moving. At first it was difficult to adapt, but little by little we could follow Milla's advise. My teammates and I keep up the spirit by practising," Nasir said. The Timnas U-22 is expected to face Cambodia's team on June 8 in Phnom Penh, but while playing against Puerto Rico, the country's squad will be the host, Sakti revealed. It will be an opportunity for the Timnas U-22 to move up from its current 177th position in the FIFA rankings. The Timnas is ranked far below Puerto Rico, which is at the 134th position, while Cambodia is at the 175th position. In preparing to face Cambodia and Puerto Rico, Milla will likely seek five or more senior players to strengthen the squad, Sakti stated in Tangerang, Banten Province, Wednesday (May 10), adding it was upto Milla to choose the senior players. For the training camp in Bali from May 23 to 27, Milla will bring 27 players. In addition to Ahmad Nur Hardianto, who is back in the squad after recovering from an injury, Milla will also include naturalized player Ezra Walian in the program, according to the PSSI. Coach Milla also called Persija Jakarta defender Rezaldi Hehanusa, who was absent for the training camp due to an injury. If Hehanusa comes to Bali, it will be the first appearance for the 21-year-old player following his absence. The 27 players who will proceed to Bali are as follows: In the position of goalkeepers, Ravi Murdianto from (PS TNI), Mochammad Dicky Indrayana (Bali United), Satria Tama (Persegres Gresik) and Kurniawan Kartika Ajie (Persiba Balikpapan). Players at the back sector are Andy Setyo Nugroho (PS TNI), Hansamu Yama Pranata (Barito Putera), Nazar Nurzaidin (Barito Putera), Osvaldo Haay (Persipura), Ryuji Utomo (Persija), Rezaldi Hehanusa (Persija), Ricky Fajrin (Bali United) and Zalnando (Sriwijaya FC). The midfielders are Paulo Sitanggang (Barito Putera), Putu Gede Juni Antara (Bhayangkara FC), Evan Dimas (Bhayangkara FC), Nasir (Arema FC), Hanif Sjahbandi (Arema FC), Muhammad Hargianto (Persija), Gian Zola (Persib), Febri Hariyadi (Persib), Septian David (Mitra Kukar), Asnawi Mangkualam (PSM Makassar) and Saddil Ramdani (Persela). At the striker's position are Marinus Maryanto (Persipura), Yabes Roni (Bali United), Ahmad Nur Hardianto (Persela) and Ezra Walian (Jong Ajax). Walian is a naturalized footballer who played for Dutch club Ajax Jong. "I am very happy and proud. From now on, I can say that I am Indonesian," Ezra said at the office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Thursday (May 18), while taking the oath of loyalty as a citizen. Ezra has promised to give his best to the Indonesian national team or Timnas to take it to the highest level. He will strive to score many goals and bring the championship trophy to Indonesia, he asserted.