Jakarta: General Chair PSSI Erick Thohir wants Indonesia’s defense line to be strengthened by Elkan Baggot and Justin Hubner to face the U-23 Guinean National Team on May 9 2024. To make this wish come true, PSSI will first ask permission from the players’ respective clubs.
Elkan Baggot is a player from the English club, Ipswich Town. Meanwhile, Justin Hubner plays at Cerezo Osaka.
Hubner has actually participated in strengthening the national team in the U-23 Asian Cup. However, Hubner returned to Japan after the U-23 Asian Cup was over.
Erick Thohir confirmed that his party would try to persuade Cerezo Osaka to allow Hubner to join Garuda Muda again. Meanwhile, Elkan is optimistic that he can join Garuda Muda because Ipswich has played its last match and confirmed promotion to the English Premier League.
“We are trying to persuade us to let go. But Justin and Elkan want to. So if everyone can join in Paris, this will be our first full force so far,” said Erick, Tuesday, May 7 2024.
“We’ll just look at the possibilities,” he said.
The U-23 national team will face Guinea at the Center National du Football de Clairefontaine behind closed doors (without spectators) which is about 50 km from Paris. This crucial match took place a week after Garuda Muda lost to Iraq in the match for third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.
The presence of Elkan and Justin is very crucial for the defense line. Because this match is Indonesia’s last chance to get tickets to the Paris Olympics