Shin Tae-yong Won't Call Asnawi Even Though He Recovered From Injury

Asnawi Mangkualam still did not include Shin Tae-yong to the Indonesian national team (Instagram/@asnawi_bhr).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, discussed the condition of Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar, who reportedly had recovered from injury. However, the coach emphasized that he would still not include the player in the Indonesian national team squad.

The Indonesian national team will again fight in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia on November 15 and 19, 2024. For that agenda, Shin Tae-yong has set 27 names.

Asnawi Mangkualam became the name who had been on the call list even though it had not been officially announced. Because the player suffered an injury, his position was replaced by another player.

In the midst of news of his injury, Asnawi was seen playing for his club, Port FC. He started 45 minutes in the match against Bangkok United on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Asnawi's situation then raised the question of whether the player would be called Shin Tae-yong back to the team. Regarding this, the coach has a firm answer.

"Indeed, Asnawi was injured in a hamstring. Before we issued a list of who the player chosen, Asnawi stated that there was no problem (if he was not summoned to the Indonesian national team)," Shin Tae-yong said in a statement in Jakarta quoted on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Furthermore, Shin Tae-yong explained why he still did not include Asnawi even though his condition is now improving.

The South Korean coach admitted that he did not want to force it because he was worried that there would be further problems.

"However, the name hamstring cannot be seen like that. It could be a problem in the middle. So, in the end it can't be called," said Shin Tae-yong.

Despite the coach's decision regarding Asnawi, the team's preparation will continue. Most recently, the Indonesian national team is scheduled to gather and undergo a training camp (TC) ahead of Japan and Saudi Arabia on November 10, 2024.