REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia national coach Shin Tae-yong said his team's first match in Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup against Myanmar will not be easy. Because, opponents are strengthened by senior players.
Shin brought the majority of U-22 players to face the biennial tournament in Southeast Asia. Garuda team will host Myanmar at Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Monday (9/12/2024) evening WIB.
“It is not easy for us to face the senior national team (Myanmar), we brought very young players not only for this match but also for next year's Asian Cup qualifiers and SEA Games,” Shin said as quoted from a press conference recording received by the newspaper on Sunday (8/12/2024).
“So I really want all the team members to have a good experience and also develop, but so far we have had a very good preparation,” he said.
PSSI did not give a champion target to Shin and his team in this tournament. On several occasions, Indonesian national team manager Sumardji and PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir said the main thing is to perform at their best and prepare for the team's regeneration.
The Indonesian national team brought a total of 24 players to compete in the 2024 AFF Cup. Shin relied heavily on young players who previously tasted the Indonesia U-22 national team such as Arkhan Kaka, M. Rayhan Hannan, Sulthan Zaky, and Kadek Arel.
However, there are also a number of names that are often called defending senior national teams such as Muhammad Ferarri, Asnawi Mangkualam, Pratama Arhan, Hokky Caraka, Marselino Ferdinan, and Rafael Struick. The latter two names have even become Shin's mainstays in the senior team.
In the 2024 AFF Cup Indonesia inhabited Group B alongside Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam. After facing Myanmar, the team will host Laos at Manahan Stadium, Solo on December 12.
Shin Tae-yong's men will play one away match against Vietnam on December 15, and end the group phase by hosting the Philippines on December 21.
Indonesia has never won the AFF Cup, and has only been a finalist six times in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2020.
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