Shin Tae-yong Is In The Midst Of Pressure Ahead Of The Opponents Of Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team will host Saudi Arabia at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 19.00 WIB.

The sixth match of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers is very important considering that the Garuda Squad only lost to Japan 0-4 on November 15, 2024.

The defeat made the position of the Indonesian national team in the standings slump to the caretaker. Obviously, the situation put Shin Tae-yong under pressure.

The Indonesian national team is expected to gain maximum points because at the first meeting in Jeddah, September 2024, they managed to hold the Saudi Arabia series 1-1.

In response to this, Shin Tae-yong is well aware that his position as coach of the Indonesian national team has attracted attention and pressure.

He was also heartened to listen to various criticisms addressed to him.

"There is definitely pressure, from the media, and the Indonesian football lovers who are very concerned about Indonesian football. When they win and lose, of course there will be good and bad news."

"Indeed, I don't always have to hear good news. When there are results that are not optimal, sometimes I have to hear criticism from fans. That can be an evaluation material for me, what team problems should be addressed," said Shin Tae-yong.

Despite the pressure that came to him, he asked the supporters to continue to support the Indonesian national team in particular and Indonesian football in general.

"I ask the fans to continue to support Indonesian football. I am not Indonesian, but as a coach of the Indonesian national team."

"I will work as much as possible and try for Indonesia. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is indeed good and that's what we want to achieve."

"Even if we don't qualify, we can both think about expanding for the team, although there are also many developments," said the former South Korean coach.

The Indonesian national team currently occupies the last position in the Group C standings with a collection of three points from the results of three draws and two defeats.

To be in a safe position, the Indonesian national team must at least rank four so that it can continue to the following phase.