Is firing coach Shin Tae-yong a mistake of the Indonesian Football Federation?

On the afternoon of March 20, the Indonesian team entered the match against Australia with high hopes. However, Kevin Diks' missed penalty kick and countless defensive mistakes caused the team from the archipelago to collapse. They lost 1-5 to Australia, and this was also the heaviest defeat that Indonesia had to suffer in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Where are the Indonesian warriors?

It must be recognized that losing one match cannot take away the opportunity of the Indonesian team. With the remaining matches of the third qualifying round, they still have the possibility of going to the World Cup with a direct ticket. However, losing 1-5 to a team like Australia is now a shock for Indonesian fans.

The Indonesian team was filled with disappointment after the heavy defeat.

With a series of naturalized quality players and a world-renowned coach like Patrick Kluivert, the Indonesian team clearly aimed for 3 points. After conceding a goal from Boyle's successful penalty kick, the Indonesian team lost their spirit and conceded a second goal exactly 2 minutes later. More than 1 minute later, they conceded a third goal.

There was still half a game left to play, but no one believed that Indonesia could equalize or create a miracle. Simply, the fighting spirit of the archipelago nation was not clearly shown. Thom Haye was very high class but lacked enthusiasm in the midfield. Even a quality star like Jay Idzes played poorly.

Up front, young Marselino Ferdinan has not been himself since moving abroad to England. Oxford United and the Championship seem to be too much for the young talent born in 2004. He tries hard but is no longer as explosive as when playing domestically.

In the second half, the Indonesian team "resisted" for the first 15 minutes and then collapsed once again. The players' steps were heavy.

Was it a mistake to fire coach Shin Tae-yong?

Coach Shin Tae-yong received a large compensation and left the Indonesian national team. However, he still paid attention to the project that he had been passionate about all his life. On the afternoon of March 20, the Korean coach still watched the match of the Indonesian team and encouraged his former student after the defeat.

Indonesia played a deadlock against Australia.

This move quickly caused internal rifts within the Indonesian team. Many people implicitly understood that coach Patrick Kluivert was invited to Indonesia because of his great influence with the group of players of Dutch origin. Of course, this former player is very famous in the land of tulips and easily connects with the naturalized stars.

Kluivert was a star player, but as a coach, he is just "average". Over the past 15 years, this "strategist" has only been the head coach twice for the Curacao national team and Adana Demirspor Club (Turkey). It is not surprising that Coach Patrik Kluivert has not had any outstanding achievements.

Mr. Kluivert's resume is decorated with coaching experiences with the Netherlands, Ajax Amsterdam, AZ Alkamaar, but all in assistant positions.

Firing coach Shin Tae-yong and appointing Patrick Kluivert is the mistake of the Indonesian Football Federation?

Coach Shin Tae-yong, although not a name known to the world, has won the Asian Cup 1 as a coach. The performances of the U20, U23 and Korean national teams under Mr. Shin are very impressive.

Even when coach Shin Tae-yong went to Indonesia, he also helped improve the country's football a lot. The failure at the 2024 AFF Cup was the excuse for the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) to fire Mr. Shin. More deeply, they wanted to completely Dutch-ize the Indonesian team.

One defeat does not mean that Indonesia's World Cup dream is over. But a team going astray after just the first match under a new coach brings with it many bad omens.

Was changing coach Shin Tae-yong a mistake for PSSI?

Mai Phuong

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/sa-thai-hlv-shin-tae-yong-la-sai-lam-cua-ldbd-indonesia-ar932889.html