Responding To Haruna Sumitro's Strong Criticism Of Shin Tae-yong's Performance, PSSI: For Quality Decisions

JAKARTA - Statements containing strong criticisms expressed by Exco PSSI member, Haruna Sumitro against the coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong recently caught the public's attention. PSSI then gave a response to this.

PSSI Secretary General, Yunus Nusi understands and understands that debates in internal discussions often occur. However, regarding Haruna's case against Shin Tae-yong, Yunus said the criticism was made to get a quality decision.

"It is better to have a heated debate inside to produce a quality decision. However, after discussion, the decision remains with the general chairman and the executive committee," said Yunus Nusi in a written statement received by VOI on Monday, January 17.

Regarding the statement made by Yunus, it also answers questions from many parties regarding the interview with Exco PSSI Haruna Sumitro in a podcast. Haruna criticized the performance of coach Shin Tae-yong regarding the results in the 2020 AFF Cup and the naturalization program that PSSI is currently investigating.

Haruna's criticism took place in an internal meeting attended by Mochamad Iriawan, Deputy Iwan Budianto, Yunus Nusi, Deputy Secretary General Maaike Ira Puspita, Exco Endri Erawan, Vivin Sungkono, and Technical Director Indra Sjafri.

"It's not important, it's a process. The most important thing is the result. Whatever the training, if you don't win, you haven't been said to be a champion. Indonesia has entered the AFF Cup final six times. If you're still runner-up now, it's not an achievement," Haruna criticized the results. in the 2020 AFF Cup.

Furthermore, even though Haruna has scathing criticism of Shin Tae-yong's performance, Yunus insists that it is a process. In the end, Shin Tae-yong still got the confidence to lead the national team.

"However, in discussions and internal meetings of PSSI, all still respect a decision that is collegial in nature," said Yunus.

"The PSSI collegial collective decision, among others, continues to give confidence to Shin Tae-yong until 2023 according to the contract. It does not even rule out the possibility of extending the contract if the national team's performance continues to improve." he explained.

Yunus also mentioned the plan for naturalization of four players who have Indonesian blood. PSSI is currently assigning Exco Hasani Abdulgani to follow up on this plan.

"This naturalization program is different from the era of Christian Gonzales, Greg Nwokolo, Victor Igbonefo, Beto Gonzalves, etc. Now purely with Indonesian blood. The naturalization program is also the desire of STY (Shin Tae-yong)," added the former Chair of the East Kalimantan Asprov.

In the future program, STY does need several players to cover weaknesses in several positions. One of them is in the striker position. Well, that weakness will be patched. One of them is the naturalization program.