Jakarta, July 6 (IANS) Indonesia has downgraded its expectations for the forthcoming 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be played in the country, the country’s football association said here on Monday.
Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) chief Mochamad Iriawan had previously said the country should aim for the tournament’s semifinal stage, though the new target is for Indonesia merely to get through the competition’s opening stages, reports Xinhua news agency.
“So, at least, we have to pass the cup’s preliminaries, and we will be thankful if we can go to the quarterfinals,” said Iriawan.
Six groups will compete in the 2021 FIFA U20 World Cup, which will be played in Indonesia from May 20 to June 12, 2021.
Ahead of the tournament, delegates from football’s world governing body FIFA will inspect six of the stadiums to be used.
FIFA delegates are slated to visit Indonesia in September to closely look at and assess the condition of venues of the U-20 World Cup.
Indonesia has officially announced six out of ten potential sports stadiums in the shortlist for the upcoming 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup venues.
“Surely, in September FIFA delegates will come to Indonesia,” said Mochamad Iriawan, Head of the Indonesian Football Association.
–IANS
dm/bbh