JAKARTA, March 26 -- After facing the Japanese opponents on Sunday, the Indonesian U-19 national team has commenced its focus on the AFF U-18 2018 Cup and the Asia U-19 Cup this year, the coach confirmed on Monday.
National team coach Bima Sakti said that the football players will undergo training starting from April of this year.
"The training will be longer in its period. We will improve on our weaknesses, including chemistry among the players," he said.
The coach said that he expects the performance and skills of the U-19 team members will improve after having the long training.
The AFF U-18 2018 Cup is scheduled to be played from July 2 to 14 of this year and the Asia U-19 cup is to be held from October 18 to November 4, 2018, according to the country's football association.
Both football tournaments will take place in Indonesia, it said.
The Indonesian U-19 is in Group A along with Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Lao PDR and the Philippines, according to the association.
Malaysia, Myanmar, Timor Leste, Brunei and Cambodia are in Group B, it said.
As the host team of the Asia U-19 Cup 2018, the Indonesian team will automatically pass to the final and enter pot one, according to the association.