STY Regrets Many Opportunities Were Wasted When the Indonesian National Team Played Against Japan

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Coach Shin Tae-yong (STY) regretted that the Indonesian National Team had wasted many opportunities when competing against Japan, Friday (15/11/2024).

The two teams met in the third round of qualifying for the 2024 World Cup in the Asia Group C zone at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. The Indonesian national team surrendered 0-4 in this match.

In the match matchday In these five, Indonesia created at least three valuable opportunities, such as Ragnar Oratmangoen’s chance in the eighth minute, as well as two other opportunities through pull passes from Kevin Diks and Rafael Struick in the 14th and 15th minutes, who failed to find a partner in front of the opponent’s goal.

“If we could have scored a goal, the game might have gone differently. Our mistake gave them the first goal,” said STY.

The coach from South Korea emphasized that this is not the time to give up, even though his team has not managed to win in five matches in the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the Asia group C zone.

“This is not the time to give up, even though the result is 0-4,” said STY to the media after the match at SUGBK.

Even though they are currently at the bottom of group C with only three points, STY remains optimistic. The Indonesian national team still has five matches remaining to fight for tickets to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The minimum target is position three or four, which is currently occupied by Saudi Arabia and China with six points each. Meanwhile, Bahrain is in fifth position with five points, ahead of Indonesia.

In the next match, Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (19/11/2024) at SUGBK. Saudi Arabia recently drew against Australia under the leadership of their returning coach, Herve Renard.

“We have come this far and experienced a lot of progress,” said STY optimistically.

On the other hand, Rafael Struick, one of the national team players, admitted that this defeat was caused by the significant difference in quality between Indonesia and Japan. The Samurai Blue team appeared very effective in this match.

Justin Hubner’s own goal in the 35th minute, followed by goals from Takumi Minamino (40), Hidemasa Morita (49), and Yukinari Sugawara (69) ensured Japan’s victory. This defeat was the second time for Indonesia against Japan this year, after previously meeting in the 2023 Asian Cup.

“Japan are a world-class team, and they are superior to us at the moment,” said Struick, who now plays for Brisbane Roar.