Undaunted By The Physical Excellence Of Australian Players, Shin Tae-yong Indicates The U-23 National Team To Show Pressure In The Second Leg Of Asian Cup Qualification

Shin Tae-yong (Foto: Antara)

JAKARTA - The coach of the Indonesian U-23 national team Shin Tae-yong indicated that his squad will appear to be pressing when they meet Australia in the second leg of the 2022 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification Group G in Tajikistan, Friday.

Quoted by Antara from PSSI's statement, Shin asked his players to grab the ball faster from the opponent's control and immediately launch a counterattack.

"Players must be able to predict the opponent's movements even before the ball arrives. After that, just counterattack," said the South Korean tactician.

Shin Tae-yong also instructed his squad not to be afraid of Australia's physical superiority.

Indonesia is actually not inferior in quality because it has the speed and ability to make short passes.

"Australia does have advantages from a physical point of view. However, if the players work hard until the end and show their best performance, the result of the match will definitely be better than the first leg," said Shin.

In the first leg match at the Republican Central Stadium, Tajikistan, Tuesday, October 26, the Indonesian U-23 national team lost 2-3 to Australia.

In order to fulfill the target of qualifying for the 2022 U-23 Asian Cup, Shin has completed a series of preparations after the first leg match, including analyzing the opponent's video.

Shin also emphasized that all players are in a condition ready to compete. However, the South Korean national team coach at the 2018 World Cup assessed that Witan Sulaeman and his friends were not too fluent in competing on synthetic grass fields.

"But I hope they continue to adapt to the situation because it's important for the second leg," said Shin.

Even though they lost at the initial meeting, the Garuda Muda squad still has the chance to qualify for the 2022 U-23 Asian Cup. The condition is, Bagus Kahfi and friends win at least with a two-goal advantage.

If Indonesia wins by one goal, the match will go straight to the penalty shootout without extra time.