Shin Tae-yong emphasized that the U-23 national team squad did not fly to Thailand for pleasure

2023-08-14 23:05:06

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Ahead of the 2023 U-23 AFF Cup, the U-23 Indonesian national team traveled to Thailand to host the event. / Photo: Instagram @shintaeyong7777

JAKARTA – Ahead of the 2023 U-23 AFF Cup, the U-23 Indonesian national team traveled to Thailand to host the event. The coach, Shin Tae-yong also emphasized that the Garuda Muda squad had not come there for a vacation.

The U-23 AFF Cup itself will take place in Thailand on August 17-26 2023. Considering that there are only a few days left, the U-23 Indonesian national team has already departed for the Land of White Elephants on Monday (14/8/2023) morning WIB.

Shin Tae-yong has made preparations by holding a training camp (TC) in Jakarta since last August 10. The coach from South Korea has summoned 23 players to fight for the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup.

Unfortunately, Shin Tae-yong couldn’t bring all of his best players to this annual event. He cannot include U-23 players who are labeled stars in League 1 2023/2024. Among them are Rizky Ridho, Witan Sulaeman, Adi Satryo, Dzaky Asraf, to Fajar Fathur Rahman.

However, this did not dampen Shin Tae-yong’s enthusiasm to be able to bring the U-23 Indonesian national team to achieve positive results in this event. The former coach of the South Korean national team emphasized that he would forge his players as well as possible to achieve sweet results.

“Even though the players are not complete, they do not go to Thailand for a vacation,” said Shin Tae-yong, as quoted from the official PSSI website, Monday (14/8/2023).

“I make sure they will work hard to be the best,” he added.

In fact, the club does have the right not to let go of its players. Remember, the event is not an official FIFA agenda. In addition to the unreleased League 1 star players, players of Indonesian descent who have performed abroad, such as Rafael Struick and Ivar Jenner, have also not been released from their respective clubs.

In the 2023 U-23 AFF Cup, the U-23 Indonesian National Team was drawn in Group B with Malaysia and Timor Leste. The Garuda Muda squad immediately faced Malaysia in the first match of Group B, Friday (18/8/2023), and against Timor Leste, 2 days later.

One thing is certain, the victory over Malaysia is very important for the U-23 Indonesian National Team in order to open up opportunities to qualify for the semifinals. After all, only the group winners qualify automatically for the semifinals.

(ask)