The most read Vietnamese newspaper
Edition: International | Vietnamese
© Copyright 1997 VnExpress.net. All rights reserved.
 |
|
Coach Shin Tae-yong at the press conference after the Indonesia's game against Bahrain in World Cup qualifers on Oct. 10, 2024. Photo by PSSI |
At Bahrain's National Stadium on Thursday, Indonesia were very close to their first victory in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. After six minutes of extra time as announced, they were still leading 2-1. However, the match did not end there.
Referee Ahmed Al Kaf let the game continue until the ninth minute of extra time when Bahrain equalized 2-2 thanks to Mohamed Marhoon's goal. The Omani referee blew the final whistle right after that, in the anger of the Indonesia coaching staff. One of coach Shin's assistants received a red card for overreacting.
"If you watch this match, everyone can understand why Indonesia are angry with the referee," Shin said at a press conference after the game. "There were six minutes of added time but he gave nine. The referee was biased. For example, every time we stopped a Bahrain player from attacking, the referee called it a foul."
Coach Shin fielded a squad with 10 naturalized players of Indonesian descent that were born in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. The remaining player was right midfielder Malik Risaldi.
After Bahrain took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to a powerful free kick from 30 m by Marhoon, Indonesia came back to lead 2-1 with Ragnar Oratmangoen's close-range tap-in in the third minute of injury time in the first half, before Rafael Struick's finish in the 75th minute.
Indonesia would have had the chance to take second place in group C if they got three points. But the referee's added time extension cost Indonesia the win.
"Indonesia and Bahrain showed their best until the final whistle. But I have to talk about the shameful decisions of the referees. If Asian football wants to develop, the quality of referees also needs to improve," Shin added.
This is Indonesia's third consecutive unbeaten match in World Cup third qualifying round. In the previous two games, they drew against two strong teams, Saudi Arabia and Australia. On Oct. 15, Indonesia will face China.
