Shin Tae-yong Thanks Liga 1 Postponed For The U-23 Indonesian National Team

Shin Tae-yong must prove himself in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, expressed his gratitude for the postponement of Liga 1 2023/2024 for Garuda Muda's agenda. Even so, he also said that the decision had a bigger burden on him.

Previously, PSSI and PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) officially decided to postpone Liga 1 2023/2024 based on a Decree numbered 1367/UDN/815/III-2024. This was done because the U-23 Indonesian national team would appear in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup on April 15 to May 3, 2024.

Prior to appearing on the agenda, Shin Tae-yong had compiled a schedule for his team to undergo a training camp (TC) in Dubai starting April 1, 2024.

In order to optimize the agenda, PSSI finally decided that domestic competition would be temporarily postponed. The decision came considering that many Indonesian U-23 national team players were the main pillars of the club in Liga 1 2023/2024.

Of course, if they are absent from defending the club during the uniform of the U-23 Indonesian national team, the strength of the 2023/2024 Liga 1 teams entering the crucial week will definitely be affected.

Meanwhile, Shin Tae-yong considers the decision to postpone Liga 1 2023/2024 is a form of support for the U-23 Indonesian national team. Therefore, he is very grateful and appreciates this.

"Today (31/3/2024) we gathered and Monday (1/4/2024) left for Dubai. So, I thank Mr. Chairman of PSSI Erick Thohir, owners-owner of the club, and coaches of League 1 clubs," said Shin Tae-yong quoted from PSSI's official website on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Apart from expressing his gratitude to various parties, the South Korean coach also did not deny that this decision was not easy.

With the big considerations that were passed previously, Shin Tae-yong also realized that there was a bigger burden he had put forward after the decision to postpone the competition was made for the U-23 Indonesian national team.

The coach must be able to prove that what has been sacrificed must be rewarded with maximum results in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

"In the midst of the league, it is difficult, yes, for the club to release players. However, once released, I think I should try my best to advance Indonesian football better than now."

"With the support (PSSI) to dismiss League 1, the General Chairperson (Erick Thohir) advised us to excel better in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup," he said.

Shin Tae-yong brought 27 players for the TC agenda in Dubai. The majority of players come from League 1 clubs, including a number of names that strengthen the Indonesian national team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, such as Hokky Caraka, Ramadhan Sananta, Ernando Ari, Witan Sulaeman, Rizky Ridho, and Adi Satryo.

The U-23 Indonesian national team is targeted to reach at least the top eight or four of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.