Shin Tae-yong's Risky Choice

ANTARA/ADITYA PRADANA PUTRA

Indonesia U-19 football team goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi (third right), catches the ball shot by Brunei Darussalam player Idzzaham Aleshahmezan (second right), in the preliminary match of Group A of the 2022 AFF U-19 Cup at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, Java West, Monday (4/7/2022).

In order to score many goals when facing Brunei, Indonesia’s coach Shin Tae-yong took a risk. He did not give his key players a full rest last night. Actually, their fitness is crucial to facing a strong team, Thailand, in their next match.

BEKASI, KOMPAS — The Indonesian national football team won a landslide victory, 7-0, over Brunei Darussalam in the Group A match of the U-19 AFF Cup, on Monday night (4/7/2022). However, this achievement carries the risk of depleting the stamina and physique of the key players. Actually, their physical fitness and stamina are very much needed to face Thailand in the next match.

In the match at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, West Java, Shin Tae-yong relied on key "Garuda Muda" players, such as Marselino Ferdinan, Ronaldo Kwateh, Hokky Caraka and Arkhan Fikri, from the first minute . In fact, in terms of quality, Brunei is actually far below Indonesia.

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The choice was made to pursue the greatest number of goals as much as possible. Not surprisingly, the line-up that Shin displayed at that time was almost the same as when he was held to a draw by Vietnam, 0-0, in the inaugural match of Group A.

Shin's decision not to put those key players on the bench could potentially exhaust them. In fact, Indonesia will face a tough opponent, Thailand, on Wednesday (6/7).

That's why they were deliberately replaced,” said Shin.

Considering the break between matches in the AFF U-19 group stage is only one day, the main players need more recovery time. Ronaldo, Marselino and Arkhan were only pulled off at half-time. As for the team's "goal machine", Hokky Caraka, Shin still played him in the second half. "I replaced Marcelino and Ronaldo in the second half to improve their physique ahead of facing Thailand. That's why they were deliberately replaced,” said Shin.

The target of winning the match seems to have made Shin less daring to play the back-up players. Only the winning team and the second-placed team in the group will qualify for the semifinals. Brunei, which is none other than the weakest team in Group A, became the target of their opponents' goal sources. Previously, Brunei also lost heavily, 0-7, to Myanmar.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Shin Tae Yong, Indonesia’s coach.

Shin’s strategy was trying to secure a win while scoring a lot of goals from the early minutes by relying on key players. Scoring many goals benefits Indonesia because goal productivity will determine which team will qualify for the next stage, if there are two or more teams collecting equal points.

The desire to secure victory and celebrate goals from the start was shown through the aggressiveness of the team's attacks. Since the kick-off, the Indonesian players immediately surrounded the Brunei defense. As a result, Hokky, Ronaldo and Arkhan Fikri immediately scored six goals against Brunei in the first half.

More alive

Compared to their performance style in the match against Vietnam, the Garuda Muda attack flow was more lively and dynamic. Arkhan and Marselino's attack was much better and more varied. The Indonesian players were also diligent in exchanging positions to confuse the Brunei players, who had applied a man-to-man guard strategy.

Players from the second line also often appeared to fill empty spaces in the Brunei defense area. Marselino, Ronaldo and Hokky diligently moved to lure the opposing defenders away from their posts.

The aggressiveness of the attack made Garuda Muda hit 13 shots on target in this match. Indonesia added one goal in the second half by Alfriyanto Nico Saputro.

Unlike Shin, Thailand's coach Salvador Valero Garcia rotated the line-up in preparation for the match against Indonesia.

In the other match in Group A, Thailand showed its might by crushing Myanmar, 3-0. Thailand also topped the temporary standings in Group A with a collection of six points. In the previous match, Thailand won, 1-0, over the Philippines. Unlike Shin, Thailand's coach Salvador Valero Garcia rotated the line-up in preparation for the match against Indonesia.

"I'm a bit dissatisfied with the performance of the players. I rotated eight players in preparation for Indonesia. We performed well in the first half, but were not able to continue in the second half," said Salvador.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

The audience gives support to the U-19 National Team in the preliminary match in Group A of the 2022 AFF U-19 Cup at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, West Java, Saturday (2/7/2022).

He claimed to have understood Indonesia's strategy. According to him, Marselino Ferdinan is a key player in Indonesia who should be given special attention. "I have prepared a specific strategy to suppress him," said Salvador.

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo)