President of the Indonesian Football Federation criticized the home team for 'only knowing how to bully weak teams'

The U23 Indonesian team unexpectedly received sarcastic comments from Mr. Erick Thohir - president of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI).

Mr. Thohir is famous for his outspoken statements - Photo: PSSI

After U23 Indonesia drew 0-0 with Malaysia in the group stage of the U23 Southeast Asian Championship, Mr. Erick Thohir made statements criticizing the home team's attack.

Specifically, Mr. Thohir said that the performance of strikers like Jens Raven and Hokky Caraka "is not good enough for knockout matches".

Mr. Thohir emphasized: "I want them not to just score against Brunei. They have to prove themselves in the semi-finals and finals" - Suara quoted. In his speech, Mr. Thohir even said this sentence twice.

In the opening match of the U23 Southeast Asian Championship, Indonesia scored 8 goals against Brunei. But then in the two following matches against the Philippines and Malaysia, Indonesia only scored 1 goal. In the match against Malaysia, Indonesia's strikers continuously missed opportunities.

Mr. Thohir added: "Many chances should have been scored, but they finished too hastily. This happened in both matches against the Philippines and Malaysia. There were many times I thought the goal would definitely come."

But on the other hand, Mr. Thohir also praised the U23 Indonesia team for their stable performance, creating control in all three group stage matches.

"The team's style of play has clearly taken shape, the players have controlled the game very well. We just need to optimize our finishing ability," Mr. Thohir added.

In the semi-finals, U23 Indonesia will face Thailand, and Mr. Thohir said that the pressure of this match will be even greater than the matches against Malaysia and the Philippines in the group stage.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chu-tich-ldbd-indonesia-che-doi-nha-chi-biet-an-hiep-doi-yeu-20250723200853699.htm