Shin Tae-yong Lama's Experience In Australia Is The Key To The Indonesian National Team

The Indonesian national team faced Japan in the 2023 Asian Cup group stage (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team will face a tough test in the round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup. Australia will be the next opponent to be held at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

Socceroos is one of the strong teams in the 2023 Asian Cup. They qualified for the knockout stages as winners of Group B without losing and only conceded one goal.

The power of Australia is well realized by Shin Tae-yong. He even revealed that actually Socceroos is not suitable to be labeled as ASEAN representatives looking at the quality of his football.

"I don't think Australia's good idea is competing in the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation). Their football is more advanced. Australia is better off at the Asian level, just like South Korea, Japan, or Saudi Arabia, and others."

"They are one of the strong teams in Asia and the 2023 Asian Cup. It is better for Australia to compete in the AFC alone to develop Asian football," said Shin Tae-yong.

The South Korean coach did not just label Australia. Apart from having studied strength throughout the 2023 Asian Cup group phase, Shin Tae-yong has been in the Kangaroo Country for a long time.

Shin Tae-yong's Senja career as a player was spent in Australia by defending Queensland Rour (now Brisbane Rour) in 2005.

He then continued his journey to become assistant coach of Brisbane Roar for about three years.

The old experience in Australia certainly brings its own benefits to the Indonesian national team. The 53-year-old coach understands the game of Socceroos who will be his opponent.

"It was (in Australia) about four or five years ago. I know the colors and style of Australian football. The coach there has a philosophy."

"It's very different to compare Australia when I was there and now. Australia is growing. A lot of detail has changed, the game attacks him, and it's hard to find weaknesses."

"I'm trying to find out that (weakness). It will definitely affect our approach (Indonesian National Team)," said Shin Tae-yong.

Despite understanding the Australian game, Shin Tae-yong was reluctant to divulge the Garuda Squad's strategy for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup.

He stressed that the Southeast Asian team did not deserve to be underestimated in a meeting against a strong team like Australia.

"ASEAN teams, such as Indonesia, there are also Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are good teams. Football in AFF continues to grow. The Indonesian national team also always develops," he said.