 |
| ◇Sportschosun DB |
|
 |
| APYonhap News |
|
Indonesian fans are very angry.
Indonesia, which lost 2-3 to Saudi Arabia in the first round of the fourth round of the 2026 North-China World Cup, is infested. The result was one goal apart, but it was not strange even if the gap widened in terms of content. Only two goals were scored from penalties, but there was no decisive scene in the field shooting scene, and the defense line was sloppy enough to concede three goals. With only the top of the group given tickets to the World Cup finals in the fourth qualifying round of the three teams, Indonesia's defeat against Saudi Arabia made its first advance to the finals in 88 years and its first since independence since the 1938 Italian tournament under Dutch East India.
Indonesia was led by head coach Shin Tae-yong (currently Ulsan HD) until the third qualifying round. Indonesia, which was in the same group with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China, made an unusual move by drawing away from Saudi Arabia in the first leg of the third qualifying round and also drawing against Australia in the second leg. In the third match against Bahrain, he also showed high concentration by drawing a draw. They lost 1-2 in the away match in China and were caught 0-4 on their home turf by Japan, but with a 2-0 complete victory over Saudi Arabia on their home turf, they quickly rose to the range of direct tickets to the finals.
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
However, Indonesia suddenly replaced head coach Shin Tae-yong. Amid the increased possibility of going to the finals, coach Shin cited the reason that he is not actively using naturalized players. Erik Tohir, chairman of the Indonesian Football Association and sports minister, stepped up, eventually replacing Shin amid resistance from local fans, and appointed Patric Clawybert as the new head coach. Since then, Indonesia has been heavily defeated by Australia 1-5, but it has won the fourth qualifying round in fourth place by defeating Bahrain and China in a row. Coach Shin's points earned in the previous match were the basis.
Indonesian media outlet Ciab Viva reported that President Tohir is under intense criticism from fans after the defeat against Saudi Arabia. The media said 'Fans consider his dismissal of coach Shin during the third qualifying round a big mistake, and it has a direct impact on the recent performance of the national team and the FIFA ranking. On social media, Tohir's name is trending'
Criticism continues. One fan complained on social media, saying, `Under Shin, we have never lost to Saudi Arabia.' Another fan said 'Claubert's fault, but President Tohir's change of coach during the qualifying round was even more wrong. All responsibility rests with him,' he sharpened. Another fan said 'When Shin was a coach, the game plan was clear and the team had high morale. But now everything seems to be unsettling, he expressed regret.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
