Bad News From Shin Tae-yong Ahead Of The Indonesia Vs Brunei Darussalam National Team

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

JAKARTA The coach of the Indonesian national team (Timnas) Shin Tae-yong conveyed bad news ahead of the 2026 World Cup Qualification against Brunei Darussalam. He confirmed that his two players Marselino Ferdinand and Rafael Struick would not play in that match. The Indonesian national team is scheduled to meet Brunei in the 2026 World Cup Qualification at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Thursday, October 12 tomorrow. Unfortunately, the two players were declared not fit so the coach would not force them.

"It is certain that starting tomorrow Marselino (Ferdinan) and Rafael (Struick) will not enter. Moreover, Rafael will be out of the list of 23 players," Shin said at a press conference in SUGBK, Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Both names are on the list of 26 players who Shin called for the 2026 World Cup Qualification against Brunei even though they are not fully fit after the injury.

The Korean coach said that he deliberately made the decision because he wanted the two names to continue training with the team. The goal is that if the Indonesian national team qualifys for the second round, Marselino and Struick will be able to unite with the team.

"Indeed, from the start they had an injury now they are actually almost healed from injury, but I will not force it because of our target since early November (for second-half qualification)," he said.

"So, I will not force players not to get injured. However, I deliberately called them so they know how we will play. For Marselino and Rafael, I could play in an away match (against Brunei later)," he added.

On paper, the Garuda squad is still seeded to win even though the two players are not strengthened. Statistically, the meeting record since 1971, the Indonesian national team is far ahead.

However, Shin did not want his team to underestimate the opponent. The reason is, the Red and White Team has also experienced defeat in the above time span.

"Tomorrow we are fighting Brunei Darussalam and the toughest opponent for us tomorrow is off guard. So the important thing is that we don't let our guard down and work hard on the field against Brunei, we can definitely show our best," he said.