PSSI Dismisses Indonesian U-20 National Team Coach Indra Sjafri

February 23, 2025 | 04:36 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, has dismissed Indra Sjafri from the position of head coach of the Indonesian U-20 national team. The announcement was made on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Previously, Indra Sjafri expressed his willingness to take responsibility for the failure of the Indonesian U-20 national team under his coaching in the 2025 U-20 Asia Cup. During the tournament held in Shenzhen, China, from February 12 to March 1, the Garuda Nusantara squad was eliminated in the group stage.

In Group C, under Indra's guidance, the team suffered two defeats against Iran with a score of 0-3 and Uzbekistan with a score of 1-3, and drew 0-0 against Yemen. The Indonesian U-20 national team was already eliminated after losing the second group stage match against Uzbekistan.

Initially, the Garuda Nusantara squad was expected to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 U-20 Asia Cup in order to secure a spot in the 2025 U-20 World Cup. With the failure to advance from the group stage, PSSI's set target was not achieved.

"After our evaluation at PSSI, both I, the Vice Chair and the Exco members have decided to release coach Indra Sjafri from the position of head coach of the Indonesian U- 20 National Team," said Erick in Jakarta, as quoted from PSSI on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

"Personally, and on behalf of PSSI, I am very grateful for the services and hard work shown by coach Indra during his management of Garuda Muda, which led to the championship in the 2024 AFF U-19 and qualification for the 2024 U-20 Asia Cup," he added.

The Minister of the State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) mentioned that following Indra's dismissal from the position of head coach of the Indonesian U-20 national team, PSSI will seek a replacement coach to ensure the continuity of the youth football development program which has been ongoing for the past two years. Erick stated that the program aims to prepare young players as the main reserve of the senior Indonesian national team in the future."The decision to release coach Indra was made professionally. This means that coach Indra also understands and accepts the decision. Personally and as an organization, our relationship remains good. Coach Indra is and will remain a part of Indonesian football," said Erick.

Previously, Indra Sjafri stated that he took responsibility for the failure in the 2025 U-20 Asia Cup. Two defeats resulted in Indonesia's failure to advance to the knockout phase and meet the target for the U-20 World Cup.

"Should I be evaluated and replaced for everything, not just replaced, because this is a national duty, whatever risks come from this failure, I, as a knight, will take responsibility. So, it's not just a coaching change, it's heavier than that because this is a national duty, and I am ready for it," he was quoted from PSSI on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Indra apologized after the Indonesian U-20 national team drew 0-0 with Yemen in their final match. The result ensured that his team was eliminated, finishing as the third-ranked team with one point from three matches played."On behalf of the team and personally as the entrusted coach, I apologize to all the people of Indonesia for not being able to fulfill the desire to qualify for the World Cup," he said.

During this apology, Indra mentioned the targets he had achieved, namely, winning the AFF and qualifying for the Asia Cup. Among the three targets, he was unable to guide the team to qualify for the World Cup.

Indra gained attention for his initial achievements as the coach of the youth national team, especially when he won the AFF U-19 Cup in 2013. Additionally, in the same event, he led the Garuda squad to win the AFF U-22 Cup in 2019.

Another notable achievement was leading the Indonesian U-22 national team to win the gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games, ending a 32-year wait. The last time the Garuda squad won this event was in 1991. Subsequently, Indra Sjafri guided the Indonesian U-19 national team to win the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup.

Editor's Choice: Indra Sjafri Considers Indonesian U-20 National Team Not Meeting Expectations Despite Winning 4-0 against India

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