No Messi, Shin Tae-yong: The focus of the National Team is on the Match

The coach of the Indonesian National Team, Shin Tae-yong emphasized that his team’s focus is on matches, not on the entertainment side of the FIFA Matchday match Indonesia vs Argentina, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Senayan, Jakarta, Monday (19/6/2023).

The Argentina national team, which has certainly not been strengthened by a number of names, such as Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Lisandro Martinez, is reported to be rotating its team against the Indonesian national team.

In response to this, Shin Tae-yong didn’t really care that Lionel Messi was absent from defending Argentina in the FIFA Matchday match. He thinks Argentina is not only about Lionel Messi. Moreover, Argentina is still inhabited by famous names, such as Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Julian Alvarez.

Even though many people think that Lionel Messi’s absence eliminates the entertainment side, Shin Tae-yong doesn’t care.

“So, we will definitely only focus on the match, not the entertainment side. Moreover, the Argentine team doesn’t just rely on one player, Lionel Messi,” said Shin Tae-yong during a press conference session at the Bung Karno Main Stadium media center (SUGBK), Senayan, Jakarta, Sunday (19/6/2023).

“Actually, to think of this match as entertainment or something else is wrong thinking, we have to think about why Argentina can become world champion,” he continued.

Shin doesn’t feel it will make any difference if the Argentina national team field the first team or rotate in this FIFA Matchday match. In his opinion, the opposing team’s strength would not be any different.

Indonesian National Team (Timnas) coach Shin Tae-yong (left) and striker Dimas Drajad.

Shin Tae-yong was not disappointed by the situation. Even though Argentina fielded all the players considered reserves by Lionel Scaloni, the coach, he sees the strength of the opponent will remain the same for the Indonesian national team.

“You have to know what kind of players the Argentine team has. Even though they rotate, it’s actually the same. That is, Argentina is a team where none of the players play in their league, but all play abroad. Even if there are 1-2 players out of team, the color of the team will not change because it is very good,” he said.

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