PSSI Chairman Leaks Results Of Meeting With Shin Tae-yong: Encourage Additional Players

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair (Ketum) Erick Thohir revealed the results of his meeting with the head coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong. The meeting was held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Erick Thohir took the time to meet Shin to discuss the development of the Indonesian national team. This was done considering that the Garuda Squad will undergo the agenda of the second round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification against Vietnam on March 21, 2024.

The chairman of PSSI received information that there are a number of players who have not been able to contribute to the Indonesian national team. This situation is due to the condition of injured players and card accumulation.

"Yesterday I had a meeting with coach Shin Tae-yong to prepare for the match (Indonesia vs Vietnam) on March 21 and 26, 2024," said Erick Thohir when met in the Central Jakarta area on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

"Coach Shin Tae-yong explained that there are indeed several players who have not been able to play due to injury and others, such as Shayne Pattynama, then Asnawi (Mangkualam) is still collecting cards," said the chairman of PSSI.

Judging by this situation, the number of players in the squad is clearly going to experience shortcomings. Regarding this, Erick explained that the coach clearly needed a strategy to overcome the shortage of players in several positions.

"Well, of course, yes, a strategy is needed to fill the shortage of players. That's what I always say, right, over and over again, why do we need 150 players."

"Even in the senior Indonesian national team when Shayne, Asnawi is injured or not playing, the coating is thin, only Arhan. Yes, maybe Sandy Walsh and fortunately there is Nathan (Tjoe-A-On), but it remains thin," he said.

Erick then emphasized that there needs to be an impetus to increase the number of players in the Indonesian national team. Of course, players with equal performance and quality so that the strength of the Garuda Squad can be more convincing.

"I said that even in the senior Indonesian national team we have to have 24 players whose standards are the same. So, when there is a (accumulation) card or injury, we can have a substitute with the same quality."

"Therefore, we must encourage this and increase the number of players with the same standards," said the PSSI chairman again.