Shin Tae-yong Acknowledges Japan as a Tough Opponent for the Indonesian National Team: More Mature Preparation

Kapanlagi.com - The Indonesian national team is ready to face a big challenge in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with an exciting match against Japan that will take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Friday, November 15, 2024. This match is predicted to be one of the toughest tests for the Garuda Squad on their journey to the World Cup.

In an interview held in Jakarta on Thursday, November 7, 2024, the coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong, expressed his views on this match. He realizes that Japan is a very tough opponent. With a FIFA ranking much higher than Indonesia, the Japanese national team is considered the king of football in Asia, both in terms of performance and ranking.

“Japan is the best team in Asia, as clearly seen from their highest FIFA ranking, and in terms of performance, they also show extraordinary quality,” said Shin Tae-yong. Although the challenges faced are significant, he emphasized the importance of maximum preparation so that the Indonesian national team can provide their best resistance.

With a high fighting spirit, the Garuda Squad will strive hard to make new history and show that they are ready to compete at the highest level.

1. FIFA Ranking Differences: A Major Challenge for the Indonesian National Team

The FIFA ranking has become a major focus for Shin Tae-yong as he prepares his team to face Japan, known as the Blue Samurai. Currently, Indonesia is stuck in 130th place, while Japan soars at 15th, making it the strongest team in Asia.

This stark difference reflects the quality and consistency that Japan has built on the world football stage. Shin acknowledges the challenge his team faces, saying, "Honestly, it will definitely be tough against Japan for us," he stated.

Japan not only excels in the rankings but also possesses a well-rounded team strength and experience in international matches. Nevertheless, Shin emphasizes that the ranking difference is not the end of everything for the Garuda Squad.

2. Team Preparation: Shin Tae-yong Wants Perfect Performance

Facing the challenge from Japan, coach Shin Tae-yong emphasizes the importance of perfection in the performance and strategy of the Indonesian National Team. He stresses to all players to maximize every element of the game, from defense to attack.

"I admit, the ability of the Japanese team is very impressive, so our preparation needs to be more mature," he stated firmly. Currently, the Garuda squad is undergoing intensive training to improve coordination and strengthen the defense line.

Shin reminds the players to stay focused and not to let their guard down throughout the match, considering that Japan has a deep squad with experienced stars who can collaborate well on the field.

To face Japan's offensive threats, Shin is also designing a special strategy. With this thorough preparation, it is hoped that the Indonesian National Team can provide a significant challenge in front of their supporters and achieve a positive result.

3. Japan's Strength: The Toughest Opponent in Asian Qualification

Japan, known as the Blue Samurai, has proven itself as a giant of Asian football with consistently impressive performances in various international competitions.

This team is not only strong in defense but also has a lineup of creative and fast attackers, ready to exploit any gaps on the field. The threat posed by Japan certainly makes Indonesia need to prepare, especially with the solid defensive strategy recognized by coach Shin Tae-yong as the key to facing their waves of attack.

The Indonesian national team plans to control the game and utilize counterattacks, striving to put pressure on their opponents. With high discipline in play, Japan is a difficult opponent to conquer, so Indonesia must perform at their best in every line to compete with the speed and precision of the game offered by the Blue Samurai.

4. List of Players in the Indonesian National Team Squad for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

In preparation for facing Japan, Shin Tae-yong has assembled the Garuda Squad with an interesting combination of talented young players and experienced veterans, creating a balance that is expected to face heavy challenges.

At the heart of the defense, the presence of Jordi Amat, Jay Idzes, and Justin Hubner will serve as a solid shield, while Thom Haye and Ivar Jenner in midfield are expected to control the rhythm of the game.

For attacking, Shin has prepared various options, including Ramadhan Sananta, Witan Sulaeman, and Rafael Struick, who are ready to provide surprises.

With thorough preparation and intensive evaluation during training, the Indonesian National Team is determined to deliver a competitive and biting performance in this match.

5. What are the chances of the Indonesian National Team defeating Japan in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers?

Although Japan leads in rankings and has a wealth of experience, the Indonesian National Team still has the opportunity to surprise the world with their disciplined play and brilliant counterattack strategy.

6. How does Shin Tae-yong assess the strength of the Japanese National Team?

Shin Tae-yong firmly acknowledges that Japan is a very tough opponent. He highlights that their impressive quality and ranking on the Asian stage affirm how difficult it is to tame this Blue Samurai team.

7. What does Shin Tae-yong expect from the Indonesian National Team in this match?

Shin is optimistic that the Indonesian National Team will show their best performance thanks to thorough preparation and strong team coordination.

Although he realizes that the upcoming match will be a major challenge for the Garuda Squad, the spirit and solid cooperation are expected to lead the team to achieve remarkable results.

(kpl/rmt)