JAKARTA The Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae Yong is reluctant to worry about Thailand in the 2022 AFF Cup. The South Korean coach chose to focus on the Indonesian national team.
Thailand is one of the strong teams that can disrupt Indonesia's steps in the group phase of the biennial competition. They are considered to remain a strong team even though they are minus several star players.
"I don't think about Thailand at all strongly or weakly because I am very focused on the Indonesian national team," said Shin, Tuesday, December 20, 2022.
Thailand will navigate the AFF Cup this year without their two stars Chanathip Songkrasin and Supachok Sarachat. Both names were absent because their respective clubs were not released.
Shin said the same situation faced Indonesia without Sandy Walsh and Elkan Baggott. Sandy is confirmed to be absent because he was not released by the club, while Elkan chose to help Billingham FC.
"We are also not strengthened by Sandy and Elkan. So, each team has different situations and there are problems with each," said the 52-year-old coach.
"Sandy is also the reason she can't be released because it's not FIFA Matchday. It's also a problem, but we think Thailand remains strong even though two players don't participate. They are very good at ASEAN," he added.
Indonesia occupies Group A with Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam in the four-year competition. The Garuda squad will start the fight against Cambodia at the Bung Karno Stadium, Friday, December 23, 2022.
Thailand will also face Indonesia at the same place on December 29. Meanwhile, for two other matches against the Philippines and Thailand, Indonesia will play away.
The Garuda squad is still curious about finding the first title of the biennial competition. The reason is, from the six opportunities to enter the final, Indonesia always came out as runners up in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2016, 2020, respectively.
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