REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- All the players of the Indonesian national team have gathered. Including the newly naturalized player in Denmark Kevin Diks. Shin Tae-yong also led the inaugural practice on Tuesday (12/11/2024) at Madya Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta.
Kevin Dicks arguably came along at the right time. Because another defender in the Indonesian national team Mees Hilgers could not join because he is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Shin Tae-yong also guaranteed that Kevin will play against Japan on Friday (15/11/2024) at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta. “Kevin Diks, has joined, don't worry he will play 100 percent,” Shin said when he met on the sidelines of Indonesia's national team training.
Regarding his opponent, the South Korean coach again confirmed that Japan is the best team in Asia at the moment. So it takes a strong mentality from his players to be able to keep pace with the Japanese game later.
“Japan is the best team in Asia in terms of ranking and it's going to be a tough match. For players, the important thing is confidence so that mentally and physically we are not inferior. Japan is organizationally very good,” he said.
Regarding the absence of Mees, Shin Tae-yong revealed that the FC Twente player is recovering from a hamstring injury. “Mees Hilgers is absent because the hamstring hasn't been good so it's not taken off.”