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AFF Cup 2024: Emphasis On Renewal, Not On Titles

The head coach of the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong, has urged supporters to temper their expectations for the AFF Cup 2024. The national team will predominantly feature players under the age of 22 in this prestigious Southeast Asian tournament. The Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, also emphasized that the AFF Cup 2024 serves as an opportunity for player regeneration, thus avoiding overly ambitious targets.

On the preparation front, Coach Shin Tae-yong faces challenges due to incomplete player availability, despite the ongoing training camp in Bali. Several diaspora players are still awaiting clearance from their respective clubs, as the AFF Cup is not part of the FIFA calendar.

He acknowledges the tremendous enthusiasm of Indonesian supporters, who naturally desire the team to succeed and break the record of never having won the AFF Cup. "Such expectations can become a burden. Fans undoubtedly hope for victory, but we are not the senior national team; this is the U22 team," stated the South Korean coach. "We also face difficulties in calling up players, so expectations should not be excessively high."

Similarly, Sumardji, the head of the National Team Agency, conveyed that he has communicated with Erick Thohir. He acknowledged that participating in a tournament typically involves setting targets. However, for the AFF Cup 2024, PSSI has chosen to focus on player regeneration, thereby not imposing unrealistic goals on the Indonesian national team. "I must clarify that in football, having a target is paramount. I have discussed this with the chairman, and we are not aiming too high because we prioritize regeneration," he remarked.

Sumardji further added that reaching the final would be an extraordinary achievement for the Indonesian national team, given that this tournament relies on young players.

Tag: AFF Cup 2024 Erick Thohir PSSI