Regarding Shin Tae-yong's Sustainability In The Indonesian National Team, PSSI Deputy Gives An Explanation

Shin Tae-yong has a target for the Indonesian national team to qualify for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - Shin Tae-yong's fate as a coach in the Indonesian national team was immediately questioned after the last match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup. Zainudin Amali as Deputy General Chairperson (Waketum) of PSSI had his own answer.

The Indonesian national team lost 1-3 to Japan in the third match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Wednesday, January 24, 2024, WIB night. This defeat was the second in the group stage after losing the first match to Iraq (1-3).

The two group phase defeats made the Indonesian national team's chance to advance to the last 16 steep. They must depend on the results of the match between Oman vs Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Previously, Shin Tae-yong targeted the team to qualify for the knockout round with the obligation to win or at least draw in the match against Japan. Although the results are not on target, according to Amali this is not a moment to judge Shin Tae-yong's performance.

"Indeed, the coach who targets to qualify for the last 16, yes, we follow. So like this, we at PSSI certainly whatever target the coach will convey, we will study," said Zainudin Amali after the viewing event together at the GBK Arena, Senayan, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, evening WIB.

"We have to be realistic. We can't say we want to be champions or anything. We study, we see that the last 16 promised by STY are realistic. This is still a journey and there is still that (the opportunity)," he said.

Despite losing to Japan in a crucial match, Zainudin Amali was able to see the positive side shown by the Garuda Squad. According to him, currently Asnawi Mangkualam and colleagues are showing better performances. It is evident from the victory achieved in the second match against Vietnam.

"Overall, I see that the Indonesian national team is getting better performance. Moreover, yesterday it was able to beat Vietnam. I think that's a new hope," he said.

Meanwhile, the defeat to Japan made Shin Tae-yong's status as head coach of the Indonesian national team questionable. Moreover, the validity period for his contract extension is only until June 2024.

Previously, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir had mentioned that the fate of the coach from Korea Sealtan depended on the results in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Related to this, Amali did not want to conclude sooner. You see, there is an evaluation process that will be carried out by PSSI. Later, the decision regarding the fate of the coach will be submitted to the General Chair.

"We don't know (any further or no coach's contract) because we had an Exco (Executive Committee) PSSI meeting some time ago and it was given (the results) to the chairman of PSSI. Please, the chairman of PSSI makes a decision," said Amali.