PSSI chairman, Erick Thohir, has sent a letter to Japanese club, Cerezo Osaka, to release Justin Hubner to the Indonesian U-23 National Team in the 2024 Paris Olympics play-off round.
The Indonesian U-23 national team will play the fourth ranked U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023, the U-23 Guinea National Team, at INF Clairefontaine, Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France, on May 5 2024.
After the Indonesian U-23 National Team’s work in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup ended on May 2 2024, Justin Hubner returned to Cerezo Osaka. The 20 year old defender had to go home because his permit had expired.
“Indeed, the U-23 Indonesian National Team has lost Justin Hubner, who is called Cerezo Osaka. I have sent a letter to Cerezo to help us again,” said Erick Thohir.
New Japanese League Beginning of Season
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Minus Justin Hubner, the Indonesian U-23 National Team group arrived in Paris, France, on Sunday (5/5/2024) after traveling from Doha, Qatar, on the same day.
Erick Thohir hopes that Cerezo Osaka will let Justin Hubner join the Indonesian U-23 national team because the 2024 J1 League or the top caste of the Japanese League has only been running for a few matches.
“Because after all , the Japanese League is not in its final weeks, only the early weeks. I hope that Cerezo Osaka and of course the Japanese government will continue to maintain good relations with the Indonesian government,” said Erick Thohir.
Cerezo Osaka is in third place
This week, the J1 League will play its 12th week of a total of 38 matchdays . Cerezo Osaka, who is currently experiencing a central defender crisis, is in third place in the standings with 20 points from 11 appearances.
“I hope that Cerezo Osaka will also continue to help Indonesian football. Apart from Justin Hubner, there are also our female players who are friends,” said Erick Thohir.
Erick Thohir’s request
What Erick Thohir means as a female player is Zahra Muzdalifah. The Indonesian Women’s National Team striker joined Cerezo Osaka’s women’s club, Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies, in 2023.
“Previously, they had helped. Now we are asking Justin Hubner again to return to the U-23 Indonesian National Team,” added the man who also serves as Minister of BUMN.