At the AFF Cup 2024, the Indonesian team does not have the strongest squad with many naturalized players like in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Instead, the team's strength is mostly young U22 players.
In the most recent interview, Mr. Sumardji - Head of the Indonesian football delegation shared: "Currently, only 23/33 players have joined the national team. The rest are injured and have been sent back, a few have not been allowed to join the team by their home team."
The Indonesian team is currently gathering in Bali and only practicing, with no more friendly matches before the 2024 AFF Cup. The Korean coach has only worked with players playing domestically, while a few players playing abroad such as Marselino Ferdinan, Asnawi, Ronaldo, and Pratama Arhan have not yet joined the team.
This is also a challenge for coach Shin Tae-yong as the AFF Cup is approaching, the whole team needs harmony and tactical understanding.
Head of the delegation Sumardji added: "The Indonesian team is focusing on improving physical strength and endurance with training intensity of one session per day. However, the players' physical strength still does not meet the requirements of coach Shin Tae-yong."
Currently, the Indonesian squad only has about 3 naturalized players and a few key players. The defense is where coach Shin Tae-yong is most worried and he understands that he must "patch" the holes left by the naturalized central defenders by all means. In this way, Indonesia can turn itself into a "tank" of Southeast Asia.
