Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's U-23 national football team coach, Shin Tae-yong, expressed his confidence in delivering the "Young Garuda" squad to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The national team will have its place in the Olympics if they can reach the top three in the U-23 AFC Asian Cup but if lost in its semifinal against Uzbekistan next Monday (April 29), the team will have to win a cross-confederation play-off against Guinea next May.
"As far as I know, the last time (Indonesia's football team) appeared in the Olympics was during the (1956) Olympics in Melbourne, which is 68 years ago. Nonetheless, this is the time for Indonesia to participate again in the Olympics," Shin stated at a press conference, as observed here, on Sunday.
"I have no pressure; I enjoy every moment with the players. Now, I will make the Indonesia team advance to the Olympics," the national team coach emphasised.
Regarding the team's preparation for the Asian Cup semifinal against Uzbekistan, Shin said that he had studied their April 26 match against Saudi Arabia, where they won 2-0. He highlighted that one of the advantages of the Uzbek team is their rapid transition ability, which made them score 12 goals without conceding a goal throughout the Asian Cup.
"They have a very rapid transition, from offensive to defensive and defensive to offensive. I believe this factor makes Uzbekistan one of the strongest teams this season," Shin stated.
Shin served as the coach for Indonesia's U-20 national team when they faced the Uzbek team during the final group phase of the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup. Despite playing a goalless draw at that time, Indonesia did not advance to the next stage.
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Meanwhile, the Uzbek team advanced to the final stage and won its first U-20 Asian Cup championship. Reflecting on the 2023 failure, Shin believed he has learnt enough and is more confident to prepare the U-23 national team now to face the Uzbek team in the semifinal match.
"I have good memories and feelings. Hence, we need to have a good feeling and a stroke of luck; I will also prepare my team well," he remarked.
Confident U-23 football team will advance to Olympics: Shin Tae-yong
Indonesia's U-23 national football team coach, Shin Tae-yong, at a 2023 AFC U-23 Asian Cup press conference in Doha, Qatar, Sunday (April 24, 2024). ANTARA/HO-PSSI/nbl.
