Shin Tae-yong Answers Calvin Verdink's Possibility Of Defending The Indonesian National Team Vs Iraq

Calvin Verdonk still cannot defend the Indonesian national team against Iraq (Instagram/@c.verdonk).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, answered the possibility of Calvin Verdok being included in the squad against Iraq in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Even though the player is currently an Indonesian citizen (WNI), Shin Tae-yong said Calvin would not appear against Iraq.

Calvin Verdonk's naturalization process was completed on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. That way, the player with the defender position has been legally become an Indonesian citizen. Verdonk should have been able to contribute with the Garuda Squad.

Especially now that the Indonesian national team will face Iraq in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone. The match will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta.

However, Shin Tae-yong ensured that the player could not contribute. Even so, he said that Verdonk could have appeared in the next match against the Philippines on June 11, 2024.

"Calvin (Verdonk) can be registered for the match on June 11, 2024 (against the Philippines). So, tomorrow's match (against Iraq) won't be played," said Shin Tae-yong during a press conference ahead of the match in Jakarta, Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Verdonk's absence from Iraq is certainly reasonable. You see, when the player registration limit was carried out on June 3, 2024, Verdonk still had not completed naturalization. Meanwhile, for the registration of players against the Philippines which closed on June 4, 2024, WIB night, Verdonk had the status of an Indonesian citizen.

Even without Verdok's presence in the match against Iraq, Shin Tae-yong remains optimistic about the performance of his team. He believes Jordi Amat and colleagues can pick maximum points.

"Obviously we are getting better in performance. It was also discussed that we didn't know what the outcome of tomorrow's match would be like."

"However, I think this is an opportunity for us to be able to bring good results. From now on, players should just enjoy tomorrow's match against Iraq rather than feel afraid," said the coach.