Shin Tae-yong is confident about taking the Indonesian national team to the Olympics

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Indonesian U-23 National Team coach Shin Tae-yong is quite confident that he can lead Garuda Muda to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, ahead of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup semifinal match against Uzbekistan, Monday (29/4/2024).

The Indonesian national team can get Olympic tickets if they are able to finish the U-23 Asian Cup in the top three, or win the inter-confederation playoff against Guinea which will be played in early May.

“I apologize because I actually didn't know about the participation of the Indonesian (national football team) in the previous Olympics. I heard the last time he played in the Olympics was in Melbourne, 68 years ago. “However, this time is the time for Indonesia to participate on the Olympic stage,” said Shin at a press conference before the U-23 Asian Cup semifinal match.

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Shin Tae-yong admitted that he had no pressure. He just enjoyed the moment with the players. “This time I will make the Indonesian team advance to the Olympic stage,” he stressed.

Regarding Indonesia's opponent in the semifinals, namely Uzbekistan, Shin witnessed the Central Asian team's 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, Friday (26/4/2024).

Shin Tae-yong believes that one of Uzbekistan's main strengths is their fast transition.

“I realized why they could score 12 goals and not concede any goals. That is a crucial thing. The main reason is that their transitions are very fast, from attack to defense and from defense to attack. “Maybe that is the factor that makes Uzbekistan one of the strongest teams in this competition,” he said.

Shin once brought the Indonesian U-20 national team to face Uzbekistan in the final match of the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup group stage. At that time the two teams played to a goalless draw, but Uzbekistan, who was the host, still had the right to advance to the knockout phase, while Indonesia was eliminated.

Uzbekistan even reached the final and won the U-20 Asian Cup for the first time last year.

Even though he swallowed the bitter pill from this event, Shin Tae-yong is confident that he will be able to prepare the best strength of his squad and get better results in tomorrow's match.

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“Personally as a coach, I have no experience losing to Uzbekistan even though Uzbek are very good with good members. I have good memories and good feelings too. So we need good feelings and luck, I will also have good preparation,” said the South Korean man.

The 2024 U-23 Asian Cup semifinal match between Indonesia and Uzbekistan was played at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, at 21.00 WIB.