According to Southeast Asian media SOHA, Bong Tal, the former director of youth training for the Indonesian Football Association, has recently issued an open letter demanding that national team head coach Shin Tae-yong resign. The expert points out that it was this Korean coach’s poor decisions that led to Indonesia’s crushing defeat against Japan.
Bong Tal first criticized Shin Tae-yong for failing to fully utilize the 14 naturalized players (most of whom are highly skilled) introduced by the Indonesian FA. His hesitation and unrealistic expectations directly resulted in Indonesia’s 0-4 loss.
“Many of us might have expected a loss to Japan,” Bong Tal wrote, “but almost no one could have imagined such a comprehensive defeat. After all the efforts and grand speeches claiming we had reached the Asian level, a 0-4 score is indeed unacceptable. Is anyone willing to take responsibility?”
Bong Tal also emphasized that Shin Tae-yong’s tactical arrangements for the Indonesian national team were extremely unclear. Instead, the coach seemed more interested in making hollow promises to Indonesian fans.
“Huge investments, time wasted, Shin Tae-yong’s single-minded ‘defensive huddle’ tactic offers no hope. Despite the continuous addition of naturalized players, we receive only more promises. Shin Tae-yong, if you have any sense of shame, please step down voluntarily.”
This view also reflects the sentiments of many Indonesian fans. Calls for Shin Tae-yong’s dismissal are growing louder. “Do you have confidence in Shin Tae-yong’s coaching ability? Every month we introduce even better naturalized players, but the national team’s performance continues to decline. Fire this coach immediately!” one fan expressed dissatisfaction.
“If Indonesia loses to Saudi Arabia again, Shin Tae-yong should resign voluntarily,” another fan also shared a similar view.
