REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C Asian Zone has taken the toll of two coaches. Australia have sacked coach Graham Arnold and Saudi Arabia have terminated Roberto Mancini's contract. This shows how high the competition each federation is demanding in order to get its country through to the 2026 World Cup.

On this basis, PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir reminded coach Shin Tae-yong to always mature the team and tactics in each remaining match. Garuda's current squad still has six games left in Group C.

The request was in response to harsh public criticism of Shin's experiments in the match against China, which resulted in the team's first defeat.

“I met with Coach Shin. We are seriously talking about the target of the national team to at least occupy the top four in the group. It is the coach's job to prepare the team and tactics in the best possible way. Especially in the two home games against Japan and Saudi Arabia, next month,” Erick said on Friday (25/10/2024).

PSSI, according to Erick, will always provide support in meeting the needs of the team. “We have to do the maximum tactically. The stability that has begun to be awakened must be maintained so that when playing, tactics are ready and ripe,” he said.

Previously, the public harshly criticized Shin for boldly dismantling the national team at the match against China. A number of players who have been key to the game, such as Thom Haye, do not play fully.

Eliano Reijnders was even taken off STY from the roster, despite performing well in the match against Bahrain. Shin's bold experiment bore costly fruit with the first defeat of a team ranked bottom of the Chinese standings.

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