Shin Tae-yong said team unity was the key to Indonesia defeating Saudi Arabia

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong assessed that team unity was the key to his troops’ victory against Saudi Arabia in the Asian zone football qualifying group C match for the 2026 World Cup.

The Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia national team match ended 2-0 in favor of the Garuda squad at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (19/11/2024).

Shin Tae-yong’s troops won thanks to two goals from Marselino Ferdinand in the 32nd and 56th minutes. The Garuda squad had to play with 10 players in the 89th minute after defender Justin Hubner received a second yellow card, but were still able to maintain their lead until the end of the match.

“I would like to thank the players very much. Today I was able to play as one team, showing a good game,” said Shin Tae-yong at a press conference.

The coach from South Korea also said that Garuda’s victory was inseparable from the extraordinary support from the supporters in attendance.

“Moreover, Indonesian football fans have become one and that is a big strength for the players,” said STY, his nickname.

STY assesses that everything that has been prepared can be implemented well by the players. However, he considered that the Indonesian National Team’s game was not yet optimal.

According to him, the Garuda squad should have been able to score more goals because they had many golden opportunities, especially at the start of the first half.

“At the start of the match there was a good opportunity, maybe it would have been easier to score more goals from this score. However, I still thank the players very much,” he said.

Due to this result, the Indonesian National Team managed to collect six points and rose to third place in Group C in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualification in the Asian zone. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia fell to fourth place with six points because they lost goal productivity to Garuda.