Gerald Vanenburg Ignores Laos Coach Comments Compared To Shin Tae-yong
JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Gerald Vanenburg, did not care about comments comparing his performance with his previous coach, Shin Tae-yong.
The statement was made by Laos coach from South Korea, Ha Heyok-jun. Previously, Ha Heyok-jun felt that when his team met the U-23 Indonesian national team, the opposing team appeared weaker than during the coaching era of Shin Tae-yong.
The meeting of the two teams took place in the first match of the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification which ended with a 0-0 draw.
Regarding the comments made by Ha Heyok-jun on the performance of the team under his care, Vanenburg relaxed. He said there was no need to overreact.
SEE ALSO:
"You know, I don't care about what other coaches say. You know, I really don't care."
"If they are the best coaches then they should be in the national team somewhere. So, I don't care," Gerald Vanenburg said in a statement quoted on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Instead of responding to what Laos coach said, Vanenburg prefers to boost the spirit of the Garuda Muda Squad. He also said that he only wanted to focus on the team he was taking care of.
"What we try to do is win every game. Whether it's a South Korean coach or not, I don't care. You know, for me this isn't the first time."
"I've won the Champions League, everyone. I don't think about the South Korean coach. I think about my team."
"That's what I thought. I respect South Korea, but I focus on my team. So, I don't care about that," he added.
Despite Vanenburg's response, the draw against Laos made the U-23 Indonesian national team obliged to win over South Korea when they met Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Currently, Indonesia is in second place in the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification standings with four points, two points behind South Korea in the top position.
The draw against South Korea made it difficult for Indonesia U-23 to compete for the four tickets through the best runners-up route.