U-20 Asian Cup Results For Shin Tae-yong Will Reshuffle Strength For The U-20 World Cup

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

JAKARTA The U-20 Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, will overhaul his team after the failure in the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup. He hopes to find the ideal squad to face the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

The U-20 Indonesian national team failed to qualify for the quarter-finals after only finishing third in the preliminary round of Group A. The Garuda Nusantara squad collected four points after drawing 0-0 in the last match of Group A against the host team Uzbekistan at the Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Tuesday, March 7 evening WIB.

"In the future, we plan to give the team a break. Then after that we will make a number of changes in the squad," said the South Korean tactician, quoted by Antara.

The draw against Uzbekistan is not enough to bring Indonesia through to the quarter-finals of the U-20 Asian Cup. Indonesia U-20 only occupies third place in Group A's final standings with four points.

The collection of points is actually the same as Iraq, which in the last match drew 1-1 with Syria. However, Iraq, who was entitled to be the group runner-up, accompanied the hosts to the quarter-finals because they were ahead on goal difference.

Despite failing to reach the last eight, Shin appreciated the work of his defenders. Being able to maintain a clean sheet is enough to prove an increase in the defense sector.

"So the players also deserve credit. To win the game, the whole team has to be one for 90 minutes," said Shin.

Shin continued, Indonesia U-20 can learn important lessons from the match against Uzbekistan, especially physical improvements to face countries with the majority of players who have a higher posture.

"As you can see, Uzbekistan's players are physically bigger than our players, and this condition is quite difficult for our players. So physical conditions are our shortcomings. Therefore from now on they have to work extra to improve their physical strength," he said.

The U-20 2023 World Cup will take place in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11. This age group event will take place in six stadiums, namely I Wayan Dipta (Bali), Gelora Bung Tomo (Surabaya), Gelora Bung Karno (Jakarta), Manahan (Surakarta), Si Jalak Harupat (Bandung), and Gelora Sriwijaya (Palembang).

So far, there have been 20 countries that have confirmed themselves to qualify for the final round, including Indonesia which is automatic because of its host status. The remaining four tickets will later be obtained by the semifinalists of the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup.