Shin Tae-yong Said The National Team Was Not Used To The 4-4-2 Formation

U-23 National Team (Timnas) player Yakob Sayuri (center) heads the ball towards the goal of the Bali United club (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-Yong said the players who were prepared for the 2021 SEA Games were not familiar with the 4-4-2 formation even though they recorded two victories in the trial match, namely against Tira Persikabo on Friday and Bali United, last Sunday.

"They have not adapted well to the 4-4-2 formation," said Shin after his squad beat Bali United 3-1 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Sunday.

The national team, the man from South Korea continued, had to work hard to be fluent in implementing the strategy when using the 4-4-2.

If you are fluent, said Shin, the new national team will be provided with other formations such as 4-3-3 and 3-5-2.

"I've discussed it with the players. If we have adapted, we will use another formation,” said the South Korean national team tactician at the 2018 World Cup.

The Indonesian national team striker for the preparation of the SEA Games Osvaldo Haay admits that he still has difficulty applying Shin's tactics on the field, especially when flowing the ball.

The top scorer in men's football at the 2019 SEA Games is indeed accustomed to playing in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 pattern in the national team, before being coached by Shin Tae-Yong, and serving as a wing striker or center forward.

In Shin's era, Osvaldo only played against Bali United and became one of the two attackers on the front lines.

"I still have many shortcomings, one of which is still slow in flowing the ball left and right," said the 22-year-old footballer.

The Indonesian national team preparing for the 2021 SEA Games won their second victory in a trial match after beating Bali United 3-1 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Sunday.

Kushedya Yudo, Koko Ari, and Osvaldo Haay were the scorers for the Garuda squad in the match, while the score for Bali United was carved by Lerby Eliandry. Previously, on Friday, March 5, the national team also won the trial by beating Tira Persikabo with a score of 2-0.

With the passing of the two matches, the 2021 SEA Games training camp in Jakarta has ended since February 8, 2021. Next, the national team players will be sent home to their respective clubs to prepare themselves for the 2021 Menpora Cup pre-season tournament starting March 21.