Nine Diaspora Players Called Up, but Key Defender Mathew Baker Missing from Indonesia U-17 Training Camp in Bali
Indonesia’s U-17 national team is preparing for the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar, with coach Nova Arianto calling up 34 players for a training camp in Bali running from early July to August. The squad features a blend of talent from local Indonesian clubs as well as nine diaspora players who play abroad, including prospects from European and Australian clubs. This diverse selection aims to strengthen the team ahead of the highly anticipated global tournament.
Among the diaspora players called up are Feike Muller from the Netherlands, Lionel De Troy from Italy, and Eizar Jacob from Australia, all competing for a spot in the final squad. However, the absence of Mathew Baker, a standout defender from previous regional and continental tournaments, has drawn considerable attention and raised questions among fans and observers. Baker has been a crucial part of Indonesia’s U-17 defense, contributing significantly to historic wins such as the 1-0 victory over South Korea at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
Baker’s consistent performances in key matches have made his exclusion puzzling, especially given his role in recent successes like the convincing 4-1 win against Yemen. Despite his importance to the team, no official explanation has been provided for why he was left out of the Bali training camp roster. Speculation ranges from potential injuries to possible club commitments or strategic decisions by the coaching staff.
In contrast, another player, Zahaby Gholy, is also absent but for more understandable reasons related to his participation in the Indonesian league’s preseason tournament. While Zahaby is preparing with the Liga Indonesia All Stars, Baker’s unexplained omission remains a subject of debate, with fans eager for clarity as the team’s preparations for the World Cup continue.
From:News
The Most Popular
-
Prediction: June 29th FIFA Club World Cup Paris Saint Germain (PSG) VS Inter Miami CF -
Inter Milan vs Fluminense: Clash of Redemption and Experience in Club World Cup -
PSG vs. Inter Miami: Messi’s Reunion Faces European Powerhouse Showdown -
Flamengo vs. Bayern: Fresh Underdogs Set to Shock Champions -
Prediction: July 1th, FIFA Club World Cup Match Real Madrid vs Juventus -
Prediction: June 30th,FIFA Club World Cup Match Manchester City vs Al Hilal
