Shin Tae-yong Targets The 2024 U-23 Asian Cup Semifinals, Realistic Or Blunder?

JAKARTA - The fate of the Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, is in an uncertain situation. His career could continue or be completed in the middle of this year.

Previously, it was known that Shin Tae-yong's contract with the Indonesian national team ended in December 2023. However, PSSI extended the coach's tenure until June 2024 due to the agenda of the 2023 Asian Cup and 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

The two agendas are determining the continuation of Shin Tae-yong's career. He previously succeeded in exceeding PSSI's target to bring the team through to the round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup.

The last chance the South Korean coach now depends on the results of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. At the event, he is targeted to be able to bring the U-23 Indonesian national team to the last eight.

Shin Tae-yong seems quite confident with that target. In fact, he targets to bring the team to the semifinals.

The composition of the squad could be a factor of confidence for the 53-year-old coach. Moreover, they experienced positive developments.

If Shin combines the U-23 Indonesian national team appropriately, realizing targets such as the 2023 Asian Cup seems realistic.

Several players who entered Indonesia U-23 have been tested. Call it names such as Justin Hubner and Rafael Struick who have proven themselves in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Andiakan Shin Tae-yong bisa mencapai target yang dipasang PSSI untuk menempuh ke babak depan besar, tanda tanya soal masa depannya bakal menemukan jawab.

This is in line with what Shin had discussed with the Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir.

"I had a chance to talk with the Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, about whether the contract extension will take place in March 2024 or not."

"If we qualify for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup or the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, we will fully meet the requirements for a contract extension," Shin Tae-yong was quoted as saying by Naver Sport.

The problem is, the teams that the U-23 Indonesian national team will face are not arbitrary. They had to get through the strong Qatar team, Jordan, Australia in Group A first.

Not to mention the possibility of the Garuda Squad meeting a team with strong traditions in Asia, such as Japan or South Korea, in the knockout round or quarter-finals.

The target of the last eight PSSI alone already has a serious stumbling block. Then, what about Shin Tae-yong's target to the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup?

The question that arises is of course the question of whether the South Korean coach's target is realistic or even a blunder?

Maybe, there was an intention so that the target would not be achieved. Because there was news that Shin Tae-yong was included in the South Korean coach candidate to replace Jurgen Klinsmann.

There is a chance for Shin Tae-yong to deliberately spend the contract without the need to extend his contract. The rumors also strengthened when he saw PSSI was still being held back.

The 2024 U-23 Asian Cup will take place in Qatar from April 15 to May 3, 2024.