After Drawing Saudi Arabia 1-1, Shin Tae-yong: We Will Become Black Horses

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong, is confident that his team will become a black horse in Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification. This was conveyed by Shin after the Garuda Squad drew 1-1 against Saudi Arabia.

The Indonesian national team played an away match to Saudi Arabia's headquarters at King Abdullah Stadium on Friday, September 6, 2024, early morning WIB. In that inaugural match, the Indonesian national team got positive results.

Shin Tae-yong's team even opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Ragnar Oratmangoen's goal. The home team could only reply to the goal in the 45+3 minute.

In addition, Maarten Paes, who made his debut, also stole the show for missing the opposing team's penalty.

The result provided satisfaction for coach Shin Tae-yong. The reason is, he realized that the Indonesian national team was an unseeded team over Saudi Arabia and other opponents in Group C.

Therefore, in a press conference after the match, this South Korean coach believes that Indonesia can be a threat to big teams.

"The game was difficult and the atmosphere was difficult and emotional. We played well and I am happy with the results," said Shin Tae-yong as quoted by Alyaum on Friday, September 6, 2024.

"Indonesia will become the dark horse in this group," said the coach.

Meanwhile, the score of one point in the inaugural match is enough for the Indonesian national team not to be at the bottom of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round.