Shin Tae-yong Highlights Referee Performance That Legalizes Iraq's Second Goal

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, satirized the performance of the AFC as the organizer of the 2023 Asian Cup. This was revealed regarding the referee's leadership during the match of the Indonesian vs Iraq national team, Monday, January 15, 2024, WIB night.

In the inaugural Group D match at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the Indonesian national team lost 1-3 to Iraq. The Mesopotamian Lion team managed to take the lead in the 17th minute through the execution of Mohanad Ali.

The Indonesian national team then managed to equalize in the 37th minute through Marselino Ferdinand after receiving a pass from Yakob Sayuri.

In the 45+6 minute, Iraq took the lead again with a score of 2-1 through Osama Rashid's goal. This moment was in the spotlight of Shin Tae-yong for the referee's performance in the match.

The South Korean coach feels that Iraq's second goal smells of controversy. The reason is, there was a moment when the Iraqi player, namely Mohanad Ali, was offside before Rashid scored the goal.

Indonesia finally lost 1-3 after Iraq managed to increase the advantage through Aymen Hussein's goal in the 75th minute.

After the match, Shin Tae-yong expressed his disappointment with the referee's decision from Uzbekistan, Ilgiz Tantashev. The referee's poor performance is considered to be able to reduce the prestige of the 2023 Asian Cup.

Not only that, the image of the AFC as the organizer was also bad because it was considered unable to hold a tournament properly. Menyetahkan gol kedua Iraq dianggap sebagai hal yang memalukan di Piala Asia 2023.

"As I said before, the second goal changed our game. As you said, new techniques and all the highest technology are needed in this game."

"However, still, the final decision was made by the referee," Shin Tae-yong quipped in a statement after the match.

Despite being disappointed with the existing situation, Shin Tae-yong hopes that this kind of moment will not happen again in the next match.

"So, this is unlucky. I hope this won't happen again. So, once again, I'm very sorry and I'm very ashamed of the second goal (Iraq)," he said.

After passing the inaugural Group D match with a 1-3 defeat to Iraq, Asnawi Mangkualam and colleagues must again prepare for the follow-up match.

They must face fellow ASEAN representatives, Vietnam, who previously lost to Japan. The match was held on Friday, January 19, 2024.