Indonesian U-23 National Team Fails To Make It To The 2021 SEA Games Final, The Indonesian Football Association Chairman: God Willing, Shin Tae-yong's Position Is Safe

The coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong. (Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) General Chair, Mochamad Iriawan, immediately discussed Shin Tae-yong's future after failing to win a gold medal at the 2021 SEA Games Hanoi. The Korean coach's position in the Indonesian national team coach chair is certain to be safe.

This is the second failure of coaches 51 years after being with the Indonesian national team as runner-up in the 2020 AFF Cup. However, Iriawan said the party still believes in the ability of the former Korean national team coach.

"The contract is four years. Hopefully, it will be more accountable for the U-20 who will be in the World Cup. God willing (Shin Tae-yong's position as coach) is safe," said Iriawan.

The Indonesian national team certainly failed to meet the gold medal target after being defeated by Thailand in the semifinals. The only chance the Garuda squad has now is a bronze medal if they can beat Malaysia.

In the match against Thailand, Shin Tae-yong's squad played without a goal for 90 minutes. Unfortunately, the opposing team's single goal in extra time faded Indonesia's hopes.

"That's the result we have to accept. However, it should not be a burden for the next game," he said.

The figure who is familiarly called Iwan Bule asked Egy Maulana Vikri and his friends to forget the painful defeat to Thailand. He wanted the Young Garuda Squad to focus on what was in front of him.

The failure in Vietnam delayed Indonesia's dream of ending a 31-year gold medal drought. The last time Merah Putih occupied the highest podium was at the 1991 SEA Games which took place in the Philippines.

Since then, Indonesia's best achievements are four silver medals and two bronze medals. The last silver medal was obtained by the Garuda squad at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines after being defeated by Vietnam in the final match.