Shin Tae-yong Sindir Hosts Qatar And AFC Who Call The Best 2023 Asian Cup In History

Shin Tae-yong protested Iraq's second goal and a quipped AFC (doc. AFC).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team failed to get points in the inaugural match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup after losing to Iraq 1-3 at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Monday, January 15, 2024.

Garuda's squad coach, Shin Tae-yong, has yet to accept Iraq's second goal in first-half injury time.

Osama Rashid's goal smelled controversial because previously Mohanad Ali was already in an offside position before the goal.

"I don't know why the second goal is not considered offside. It's 100 percent offside. If this is the right decision from the referee, we regret it. Especially when it happens at an important moment," said Shin Tae-yong.

More specifically, Shin Tae-yong questioned the application of the latest various technologies in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Prior to the tournament, the AFC through the AFC Asian Cup Organizing Committee (OCAC) called the 2023 Asian Cup the best tournament in history.

In addition to using World Cup class stadiums, the 2023 Asian Cup already uses semi-automatic offside technology, a video assistant referee (VAR) system, and various other digitalization projects.

"As you said, this tournament uses all the highest technology. However, there are still incidents like this."

"I hope something like this doesn't happen in the next game. I am very sorry and ashamed of Iraq's second goal," said the South Korean coach.

Iraq's second goal was quite devastating for the Indonesian national team. You see, Shin Tae-yong's team were highly motivated after scoring a 1-1 equalizer goal through Marselino Ferdinand.

However, any protests about Iraq's second goal will not change the result. Shin Tae-yong really appreciated the performance of the Garuda Squad.

"First of all, congratulations to the Iraqi team who won this match. Even so, the Indonesian national team showed their best struggle. Their performance was good in this match," said Shin Tae-yong.

Meanwhile, the Garuda squad still has two remaining matches in Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup. Vietnam will face the Indonesian national team on Friday, January 19, 2024. Finally, Asnawi Mangkualam and colleagues will face a strong team of Japan on January 24, 2024.

The Indonesian national team had to steal points in the remaining two groups in order to keep the hope of qualifying for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup.