Indonesia head coach Shin prioritizes using young players in AFF Cup

Coach Shin Tae-yong at the 2024 U23 Asian Cup. Photo by AFC

At an event on Nov. 2, where the AFF Cup trophy was presented in Indonesia, Shin acknowledged the challenge of calling up players who are playing abroad due to the tournament not being part of the FIFA international calendar and not organized by FIFA. As a result, Shin plans to rely mainly on domestic players.

"We will combine the national team and the U22 squad," Shin said. "This will undoubtedly reduce Indonesia's competitive strength against opponents."

Indonesia currently has 16 national team players competing abroad, with five in the Netherlands, four in England, three in Belgium, and one each in the U.S., Italy, Australia and Malaysia.

National leagues in England, Belgium, Australia and Malaysia will still take place during the 2024 AFF Cup, which make the release of players difficult, namely Jay Idzes (Italy), Jordi Amat (Malaysia), Sandy Walsh, Shayne Pattynama, Ragnar Oratmagoen (Belgium) and Rafael Struick (Australia). Other players in England with limited playing time might be allowed to play for Indonesia, including Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Elkan Baggott, Justin Hubner and Marselino Ferdinan.

With American club FC Dallas out of the Major League Soccer playoffs, goalkeeper Maarten Paes will be available for the national team.

The Dutch league's winter break starts on Dec. 23, coinciding with the end of the AFF Cup group stage. This means Dutch-based players like Eliano Reijnders, Thom Haye, Ivar Jenner, Mees Hilgers and Calvin Verdonk could only join the team if Indonesia reach the semifinals.

CNN Indonesia reported that coach Shin's focus is on prioritizing young talent while maintaining optimism for good results.

"The level of these players has improved. Honestly, I hope the team can reach the final," Shin said.

The backbone of Indonesia's squad at the 2024 AFF Cup is expected to include the players who won gold at SEA Games 32 and reached the semifinals of the 2024 U23 Asian Cup. Notable names include goalkeeper Ernando Ari, defenders Pratama Arhan, Rizky Ridho and Muhammad Ferarri, midfielders Witan Sulaeman and Marselino Ferdinan, and forward Ramadhan Sananta.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has given Shin full control over player selection. The team’s primary goal is to secure a top-four finish in group C of the 2026 World Cup third qualifying round to advance to the fourth round. Indonesia are currently fifth in the group with three points, trailing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia by two points, while Japan lead, followed by Australia.

Indonesia's immediate focus is on their home matches against Japan on Nov. 15 and Saudi Arabia on Nov. 19 in the World Cup qualifiers. Shin said that he would shift his attention to the AFF Cup only after these crucial games.

The national team are set to start training in Bali for the AFF Cup on Nov. 26, ahead of their group B away match against Myanmar on Dec. 9. Then they will face Laos at home, Vietnam away and the Philippines at home.

Under Shin's leadership, Indonesia reached the final of the 2020 AFF Cup, losing 2-6 on aggregate to Thailand and the semifinals in 2022, where they lost 0-2 to Vietnam. Indonesia have reached the AFF Cup final five times without claiming the title.