Indonesian National Team Target in AFF Cup 2024: Qualifying for Final is Good, Champion is Great!

The Indonesian National Team has set a realistic goal for the 2024 AFF Cup, aiming first to reach the final before contemplating victory.

Initially, coach Shin Tae-yong called up 33 players, but four have since been removed from the roster: Dzaky Asraf, I Made Tito Wiratama, Arsa Ramadan Ahmad, and Alfan Suaib. Recently, three more players—Ananda Raehan, Armando Robert Oropa, and Ikram Algifari—were also dropped, leaving 24 players to travel to Myanmar for the opening match.

Justin Hubner and Ivar Jenner remain unconfirmed, as their clubs have yet to release them.


Realistic Expectations
Sumardji, Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN), expressed a pragmatic outlook for the team's AFF Cup campaign. "We must set realistic targets," he stated. "Reaching the final would be a significant achievement for the Indonesian National Team."
He added that winning the tournament would be nothing short of extraordinary. "If we can become champions, that would be remarkable," Sumardji said.


Focus on Semifinal Qualification
The 2024 AFF Cup will take place from December 8, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Indonesia is in Group B alongside Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos.
The team’s first match is against host Myanmar at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on December 9, 2024. Indonesia will also play two home matches at Manahan Stadium in Solo—against Laos on December 12 and the Philippines on December 21.
"The primary goal is to qualify from the group stage," Sumardji emphasized. "Despite the short travel time from Solo to Jakarta and Vietnam, we will give our all."

Indonesian National Team Roster
Goalkeepers:
Cahya Supriadi (FC Bekasi City)
Daffa Fasya (Borneo FC Samarinda)
Erlangga Setyo (PSPS Pekanbaru)

Defenders:
Achmad Maulana Syarif (Arema FC)
Kadek Arel Priyatna (Bali United)
Mikael Alfredo Tata (Persebaya Surabaya)
Sulthan Zaky (PSM Makassar)
Dony Tri Pamungkas (Persija Jakarta)
Muhammad Ferarri (Persija Jakarta)
Kakang Rudianto (Persib Bandung)
Robi Darwis (Persib Bandung)
Asnawi Mangkualam (Port FC, Thailand)
Pratama Arhan (Suwon FC, South Korea)

Midfielders:
Arkhan Fikri (Arema FC)
Rivaldo Eneiro (Borneo FC Samarinda)
Rayhan Hannan (Persija Jakarta)
Zanadin Fariz (Persis Solo)
Alfriyanto Nico (Dewa United)
Victor Dethan (PSM Makassar)
Marselino Ferdinan (Oxford United, England)

Forwards:
Hokky Caraka (PSS Sleman)
Arkhan Kaka (Persis Solo)
Rafael Struick (Brisbane Roar, Australia)
Ronaldo Kwateh (Muangthong United, Thailand)