Coach Shin Tae-yong was unable to prove the truth in his words that the national team's performance was improving from match to match. After all, what happened was the exact opposite of what he had said.
By
I GUSTI AGUNG BAGUS ANGGA PUTRA
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ANTARA/ADITYA PRADANA PUTRA
National Team player Muhammad Rafli (right) reacts after failing to find the net for the Vietnam National Team in the 2nd leg match of the 2022 AFF Cup Semi Final at My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam, Monday (9/1/2023). Indonesia lost 0-2 to Vietnam.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia failed to advance to the 2022 AFF Cup final after losing 0-2 to Vietnam in the second semifinal match at My Dinh Stadium on Monday evening (9/1/2023). Not only did the "Garuda" team fail to make it to the final, the team also experienced a night of gloom because of the players’ poor performance. Indonesia's performance had declined significantly compared to the first match in Jakarta.
”I still have a lot of work to do to improve Indonesian football. Because of this result, I feel very sorry and apologize to the fans of the Indonesian national team," Indonesia coach Shin Tae-yong said after the match.
“Vietnam has adapted to the field. It's very different for us. [We conceded] the first goal because our goalkeeper found the timing difficult. Overall, the players have not adapted. The field at Gelora Bung Karno is better," he said.
At the first match at home in Jakarta on Friday (6/1/2023), the Indonesian national team performed relatively well and successfully suppressed the aggressiveness of the Vietnamese players. This performance was not replicated in the second match. Playing in front of thousands of Vietnamese supporters, Indonesia conceded a goal to striker Nguyen Tien Linh in the 3rd minute.
The goal came from a long pass from a Vietnamese player that Indonesia defender Jordi Amat had misjudged. Indonesia’s defenders mounted no significant pressure or distraction against Tien Linh.
Left behind at 0-1, Indonesia still had a chance to qualify for the final as long as it scored an equalizer. Indonesia could advance to the final simply by drawing 1-1, because the AFF Cup uses the away goals rule. Even so, the Indonesian players were unable to play more freely and openly after falling behind, struggling to escape the pressure in the first half.
ANTARA/ADITYA PRADANA PUTRA
Indonesian National Team coach Shin Tae-yong (left) accompanied by national team player Dendy Sulistyawan (right) leaves after delivering a statement to journalists in a press conference ahead of the second leg of the 2022 AFF Cup semi-final at the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) building, Hanoi , Sunday (8/1/2023).
Shin’s instruction to attack was difficult to follow because Vietnam played aggressively and was able to break every Indonesian attack. As a result, Indonesia failed to record even one shot on goal in the first half.
Indonesia conceded another goal with a header from Tien Linh at the start of the second half, in the 47th minute. Vietnam once again took advantage of the Indonesian players' unpreparedness at the start of the match. Indonesia’s defenders offered no significant interference so Tien Linh could direct the ball into a corner, which goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata could not reach.
Indonesia was not without opportunities, mounting several challenges through counterattacks. However, the counterattacks Indonesia launched often went to waste due to lack of support from the second line.
The Vietnam national team also appeared to be disciplined, playing with a three-back formation. They were very stringent about guarding their area, anticipating counterattacks from Indonesia. Throughout the match, Indonesia had almost no opportunities to pose a real threat to Vietnam's goal.
An attempted Indonesia attack led by Dendy Sulistyawan, Marselino Ferdinand and Saddil Ramdani did not pan out because of a lack of creativity and support from the second line.
Indonesia needs to score goals in normal time and finish games faster. The AFF Cup knockout phase uses a home/away format with the away goals rule in effect. As such, if Shin's strategy of attacking during normal time is successful, Indonesia will have a bigger chance at advancing to the final.
Shin was unable to prove the truth in his words that the national team's performance was improving from match to match. After all, what happened was the exact opposite of what he had said.
"Vietnam's national team has gone 26 years without ever winning against Indonesia in the AFF Cup. We can break the bad results of the past. That the Vietnam team advanced to the final has another important meaning. I am proud of the players’ efforts today," said Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo, as quoted by Zing News.
