Losing Against Iraq, Shin Tae-yong Needs Evaluation

The Indonesian national team lost to Iraq at home (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team lost 0-2 against Iraq in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification match at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Thursday, June 6, 2024.

The defeat made PSSI have to evaluate Shin Tae-yong and the players.

"Irak played well and we failed to score points for handball goals, as well as his own mistakes, then there was a red card."

"Therefore, coaches and players must evaluate because there is still one chance against the Philippines," said PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.

In the match which was supported directly by 60 thousand supporters, the Indonesian national team played well in the first half with a 0-0 draw.

They have also been recorded several times as being able to suppress Iraq with a number of opportunities.

However, in the second half, many disaster came repeatedly. Justin Hubner's handball gave referee Shaun Evans a penalty to Iraq that Aymen Hussein executed in the 54th minute.

The Indonesian national team then played with 10 people after Jordi Amat was hit by a red card in the 62nd minute.

This situation made it even more difficult for the Garuda Squad to equalize. In fact, Shin Tae-yong's team drowned after Ernando Ari made a blunder which led to Iraq's second goal through Ali Jasim in the 87th minute.

The defeat clearly made it difficult for the Indonesian national team to move to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification.

Although he still has one last match against the Philippines, the PSSI chairman warned Shin Tae-yong and his troops that his opponent cannot be underestimated.

"The opportunity to qualify for the third round is still there. The last opponent of the Philippines will be on June 11, 2024. They are not what they used to be and have the potential to pose a big threat."

"The problem is, the Indonesian national team only drew 1-1 when playing away. I am sure, the Philippines is now different from the previous one."

"The general chairman of the new Philippine Football Federation and said he wanted to be like Indonesia. So, don't look at the Philippines as a low team."

"So, again we have to evaluate so that we qualify for the next round by winning," said the chairman of PSSI.

Victory against the Philippines is a fixed price if the Indonesian national team wants to qualify for the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.