Calls The Absence Of 4 Foreign Players Reducing Indonesia's Strength Against Timor Leste, Shin Tae-yong: Their Influence Is Half Of The Team

Shin Tae-Yong (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-Yong, admitted that the absence of four players who had careers abroad, namely Asnawi Mangkualam, Witan Sulaeman, Elkan Bagott, and Egy Maulana, reduced the strength of his squad.

"They are very influential in the squad. At AFF 2020 they may be the best players, the core players of the squad. Their influence is maybe half of the team," Shin said at a press conference Wednesday quoted by Antara.

However, the South Korean tactician remains optimistic that the existing players will be able to show their quality.

The initial challenge, of course, is against Timor Leste in two FIFA-friendly matches at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, Bali, today, Thursday, and Sunday, January 30.

The match is a preparation for the Garuda squad for the 2022 AFF U-23 Cup which will take place in Cambodia in February 2022.

"We saw players for the AFF U-23 Cup in that match. We will certainly work hard to get the best results," said Shin.

Previously, Shin Tae-Yong had stated that he would not include four Indonesian players in foreign clubs, namely Asnawi Mangkualam (Ansan Greeners club, South Korea), Witan Sulaeman (FK Senica, Slovakia), Elkan Bagott (Ipswich Town, England), and Egy Maulana (FK Senica, Slovakia) to the AFF U-23 Cup in Cambodia even though they meet the age requirements.

Shin relied on players from Liga 1 Indonesia for the match. That's what makes him routinely monitor Liga 1 matches that are currently rolling in Bali.

He also included the names of the best U-23 players against Timor Leste at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, Bali.

Indonesia is targeting a win from the match in order to add points in the FIFA rankings.