Shin Tae-yong's level is high, so I don't want to play as a national team anymore, an Indonesian student, a decision that I can't even imagine in Korea

Jul 24, 2025

Shin Tae-yong's level is high, so I don't want to play as a national team anymore, an Indonesian student, a decision that I can't even imagine in Korea
Photo=Football Indonesia



Shin Tae-yong's student Elkan Bacot rejected the national team to take a place in his team.

Born in 2002, Bacot developed his dream of becoming a footballer in England. He grew up in Ipswich Town, which was relegated from the Premier League last season. Since his father is British and his mother is Indonesian, Bakot could have opted for English nationality but decided to represent Indonesia in 2021.

Coach Shin Tae-yong immediately made the national team after confirming Barcourt's potential. Head coach Shin Tae-yong immediately selected the 19-year-old Barcourt, who has yet to show his potential on the professional stage. Bacot immediately grew into a key resource in the Indonesian national team and became coach Shin Tae-yong's favorite. Bacot also began to grow on the professional stage as he was loaned to Gillingham in League Two (fourth tier) England in the 2022-2023 season.




Shin Tae-yong's level is high, so I don't want to play as a national team anymore, an Indonesian student, a decision that I can't even imagine in Korea
사진=TVonenews
When he was head coach Shin Tae-yong, Bacot was always called up to the list and played A matches if he could represent Indonesia. In the 2023-2024 season, he left for Bristol Rovers in the English League 1 (third division) to grow further. While in Bristol, he also participated in the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup and led Indonesia to the round of 16.

Bacot also praised coach Shin Tae-yong while playing for the Indonesian national team. He said "Our style of play before and now is completely different. If you have a high-quality coach like you are now, it will be a great help to the team."

However, Bacot has not been selected for the national team since the Asian Cup. This is also the case under coach Shin Tae-yong and under coach Patrick Clawibert. Despite the interview conducted in 2023, Indonesian media TVonenews said on the 23rd (Korea time) 'This comment makes it clear that Bakot feels comfortable and has grown under coach Shin Tae-yong. Unfortunately, however, Bacot is no longer playing for the national team. Even though the baton was handed over to head coach Clawibert.
Shin Tae-yong's level is high, so I don't want to play as a national team anymore, an Indonesian student, a decision that I can't even imagine in Korea
사진=바코트 SNS
The reason why Barcourt no longer plays for the national team was because of his personal growth. In an official statement released on the Indonesian national team's YouTube channel, TVonenews explained that Barcourt conveyed his desire to participate in the A-match with the national team's training camp. He spoke with him ahead of the third qualifying round for the Asian region of the World Cup against Australia and Bahrain. He said he chose not to be called up because he was afraid of losing his place at the club, he explained.

Bacot spent the 2024-2025 season on loan with Blackpool in the third division. After failing to make the jump from the third division to the starting lineup for two consecutive seasons, he decided to focus on his career in his team. As Ipswich belong to the English Championship (minor league) this season, Barcourt also has a chance to take the lead. In the preseason, Bacot is also playing as a starter. Overseas, it often happens that a player refuses to call up the national team for his or her personal career. But it is hard to imagine in Korea.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.