Indonesia coach has more shade for AFF referee

On his Instagram, Indonesia national football team coach Shin Tae-yong elaborated on criticisms he launched after the final match by uploading videos of referee decisions he said put Indonesia at a disadvantage.

Specifically, Shin was dissatisfied when Kusahara gave Vietnamese winger Nguyen Minh Quang a penalty kick in the first half for allegedly getting tripped in the box. Shin said Quang had taken a dive to fake the trip. However, the penalty was for naught after shooter Nguyen Quoc Viet could not beat goalkeeper Ernando Ari from the penalty spot.

Additionally, Shin posted video of Vietnam’s Nguyen Hong Phuc hitting Indonesia’s Haykal Alhafiz in the face without getting booked. He also posted other plays in which he thought the referee had made indefensible decisions.

Referee Hiroki Kasahara gives Indonesia player Alfeandra Dewangga (number 19) a yellow card at their AFF U23 Championship final with Vietnam, Aug. 26, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

"Our players suffered a lot in the AFF U23 Championship. The referee couldn't see what was happening right in front of his eyes," read Shin's Instagram page.

"Maybe this was because of his [Kusahara's] incompetence, or maybe he deliberately ignored the plays. If this problem happens often, I hope the introduction of VAR will help Southeast Asian football develop better."

After the championship game in Thailand's Rayong Stadium on Saturday, Shin had immediately begun criticizing the game's officiating, saying many of referee Kusahara’s calls had left him "disappointed."

In three years of coaching Indonesia, the South Korean gaffer has yet to win a title. His squad have finished second twice, once at the 2020 AFF Cup and then again at this year’s AFF U23 Championship. They won the SEA Games gold medal last May with Indonesian coach Indra Sjafri.

Shin's contract with Indonesia will expire after the 2023 Asian Cup to be held early next year.