A Number Of Absent Players, Shin Tae-yong Believed In The Indonesian National Team To The Maximum Against Vietnam

Shin Tae-yong in the press conference session (VOI/Ulfa Gusti).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, is confident that his team will perform optimally against Vietnam even though a number of core players were forced to miss for various reasons. The Indonesian national team will face Vietnam in the second round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Thursday, March 21, 2024. Towards that match, Shin originally called 28 names to strengthen the Garuda Squad. However, a number of names had to be absent due to injury and card accumulation. The captain, Asnawi Mangkualam included players who could not appear because they received card accumulation. While Elkan Baggot, Jordi Amat, and Yance Sayuri were absent due to injury. Indeed, there are some injured players who cannot join the Indonesian national team. However, I am trying my best to prepare myself against Vietnam tomorrow, Shin Tae-yong said in a press conference in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Although a number of names did not appear, Shin Tae-yong is confident in the existing squad. Moreover, currently the Garuda Squad is also strengthened by many naturalized players who have experience playing in Europe. The remaining players will be utilized by the coach to the maximum. However, the players here have worked hard and I believe in them. Surely we can show the best for tomorrow's match,'' he said. Regarding the maximum preparation, it was confirmed by Sandy Walsh. Also present at the press conference event, Walsh admitted that the Garuda Squad remained in good condition despite a number of names absent. Tomorrow'''s matches are very important. Our preparations are going well. Despite the loss of some core players, we are in good condition, Sandy Walsh said. On the same occasion, Sandy Walsh also stated that the team will try to perform optimally. Moreover, positive results during the previous Vietnam meeting in the 2023 Asian Cup group were a fueler. We also have good momentum from the 2023 Asian Cup (win 1-0 against Vietnam). So, I think we want to continue this momentum and show maximum performance,'' he said.