Indonesian youth team unexpectedly defeated Uzbekistan, boss immediately warned

The President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir, warned the country's U.17 team not to be too happy, after they surprisingly defeated strong opponent Uzbekistan with a score of 2-0 at the Independence Cup friendly tournament on August 15.

Indonesian fans are overjoyed, feeling like they've caught up with World Cup level

The fact that the U.17 Indonesian team defeated the youth team of Uzbekistan made the press and fans of this country very happy, because they thought that the country's football had been invested in and was on the right track to reach World Cup level.

They believe that it is not easy to defeat a team from Uzbekistan, a country with the strongest football development in Asia and whose team has also won the right to participate in the 2026 World Cup for the first time.

President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir (black shirt)

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

Therefore, the victory of the Indonesian youth team is creating a fever of optimism for the development of football in the archipelago. The Indonesian U.17 team is in the process of preparing for the U.17 World Cup finals in Qatar, which will take place from November 3 to 27.

At the Independence Cup friendly tournament being held in North Sumatra (Indonesia), the young team of the archipelago nation showed very convincing performance, when they opened with a 2-2 draw with Tajikistan, before defeating Uzbekistan 2-0.

In the final match, they will meet another strong opponent from Africa, U.17 Mali, if they win, they will win the championship. The U.17 Indonesia team is currently 2 points behind U.17 Mali, the team with 2 wins in a row.

In response to the fans' optimism, PSSI President Erick Thohir praised the Indonesian U.17 team on the one hand and said: "Don't be too elated with the results you've just achieved. Stay focused and don't be complacent. We still have one more match with Mali. This is a huge challenge and our opponents have shown their strength. They have won both matches, and will be a tough opponent for our U.17 players. I hope the whole team will focus and bring out their full strength. The goal is still very far away, which is to perform at the upcoming World Cup."

According to CNN Indonesia, the match between U.17 Indonesia and U.17 Mali will take place at 8:30 p.m. on August 18, and many PSSI officials are expected to attend, including Mr. Erick Thohir.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian team will also gather again in early September to play two international friendly matches against Kuwait (September 6) and Lebanon (expected September 10), to prepare for the fourth qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia taking place in October.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tre-indonesia-bat-ngo-danh-bai-uzbekistan-sep-lon-lap-tuc-canh-bao-185250816094953261.htm