Shin Tae-yong Called The Development Of The U-19 National Team Stunted Without Testing

Shin Tae-yong arrives in Jakarta (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian U-19 national team coach Shin Tae-yong said the development of his foster children was hampered without a trial match while undergoing training camp (TC) in Spain.

"Of course, if there is a trial, the players will grow. Unfortunately we did not get permission to participate in the trial match in Spain because of the high COVID-19," said Shin, quoted by Antara from the official website of PSSI in Jakarta, Wednesday, January 13.

Even so, the South Korean tactician still praised his players who showed their best performance during TC in Spain on December 26 2020-12 January 2021.

Shin also asked the players to continue to be enthusiastic and work hard at every opportunity.

The message was conveyed mainly because the U-19 national team players were confirmed not to appear at the 2021 U-20 World Cup.

The tournament was postponed by FIFA and will be held again in 2023. This means that they are too old to compete there.

"Their career is still long and they will be the next generation of the U-23 and senior national team," said Shin.

The U-19 national team is actually projected to appear in one remaining tournament in 2021 after the 2021 U-20 World Cup is canceled, namely the U-19 Asian Cup.

However, the existence of a tournament qualifying for the U-20 World Cup is still a question mark amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asian region.