REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Every New Year's moment, people express their hopes and prayers. Indonesia national coach Shin Tae-yong is no exception. He expressed hope by the time of the New Year 2025 that the Indonesian national team can qualify for the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“Please support Indonesia to qualify for the World Cup,” Shin wrote on his official Instagram account on Wednesday (1/1/2025).
The prayers were said by the South Korean coach as Indonesia's move to the world's biggest football party felt so close.
In the third round, Indonesia closed 2024 in third place in Group C with six points from six games, 10 points below unbeaten Japan and one figure behind second-placed Australia. The top two teams in the final standings of the third round qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
The six-point score comes from three draws and one win with a 2-0 score in the last match against Saudi Arabia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on November 19.
Garuda's team leaves four more matches to ensure its fate in the third round by facing Australia and Bahrain in March, and China and Japan in June.
Shin is targeting Indonesia qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by finishing third and fourth in the third round to grab the remaining ticket on the fourth round track.
Moreover, with the current situation, Indonesia's chances of qualifying faster by occupying first and second positions are also very open.
In addition to wishing Indonesia qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the 54-year-old coach also wished other good things, “Happy New Year everyone. May everyone be healthier, happier, successful in 2025,” Shin wrote.
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