Shin Tae-yong Determined To Be Better Against Iraq At Home

Shin Tae-yong promised to bring the Indonesian national team better off against Iraq at home (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, swallowed a bitter result when he escorted his squad against Iraq in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. In the match at the Basra Stadium, the Garuda Squad lost 1-5 to the host.

This is Shin Tae-yong's first defeat after losing 0-2 to Argentina in a mid-year test match. Meanwhile, in a competitive event, the Indonesian national team lost 0-2 to Vietnam in the semifinals of the September 2023 AFF Cup.

After the match against Iraq on Thursday, November 16, 2023 night, Shin Tae-yong was not a voice about the striking defeat suffered by Asnawi Mangkualam et al. He acknowledged this was a big defeat for the Garuda Squad.

Even so, he still appreciates the performance of the host who performed sharply in front of their supporters. Shin Tae-yong did not hesitate to congratulate him.

"I think this is a big defeat and I congratulate Iraq for playing well," he said during a press conference.

"We will try to play better in the home game later," continued the South Korean coach.

The defeat to Iraq did not make Indonesia's dream of the 2026 World Cup fade. The reason is, there are still five more matches to be faced.

After traveling to the Basra Stadium, the Indonesian national team will return to play away matches to the Philippines headquarters on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.