Jakarta, IO – Argentinian Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Fabian Tapia revealed a slew of reasons why the country’s national football team is willing to play against Indonesian team.
He said PSSI chairman Erick Thohir was the main reason. According to Tapia, Erick is a seasoned figure in global football scene because he once owned a big European club.
“I explained that Argentina could play with Indonesia because PSSI chairman Erick Thohir. He is a respected person in Argentina and was the owner of a big club in Europe, Inter Milan,” said Tapia, reported Beritasatu, Friday (2/6).
Team Tango’s duel against Indonesia on FIFA Match Day, June 19, at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium has been much anticipated by the public. The announcement was published on AFA official website. It initially raised eyebrows considering the lopsided rankings of the two teams on the global stage.
Argentina is ranked first in FIFA chart and the winner of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the Indonesia ranks 149th. According to Tapia, this is also another reason. He is of the view that the Garuda squad needs to have a new experience.
“Playing with the 2022 World Cup champion will not be easy,” said Tapia.
In addition, the 55-year-old man admitted that the Indonesian national team cannot be underestimated because it has a coach who handled the 2018 World Cup participant, South Korea.
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“Indonesia cannot be underestimated. They were trained by Shin Tae-yong, whose abilities we all know well,” he said.
After winning the World Cup, Argentina has had two friendly matches on FIFA Matchday. At the end of March they beat Panama. Almost a week later, Team Tango faced off against a Caribbean nation Curacao. (un)