Ahead of ASEAN Cup 2024: Indonesia team is an unpredictable unknown
To prepare for the 2024 ASEAN Cup, coach Shin Tae-yong announced a list of 33 players with many faces in their twenties.
Up to now, the Indonesian team has the lowest average age in the world.ASEAN Cup 2024 (20.4 years old). The oldest player is Asnawi Mangkualam (25 years old), while the youngest is Arkhan Kaka (17 years old). And 23/33 new faces are called up to the national team for the first time by coach Shin Tae-yong. Obviously, the Indonesian Football Federation is creating opportunities for the next generation to compete.
However, do not underestimate the strength and ambition of the team nicknamed Tim Garuda. Because, the "island country" team still has the presence of good players such as Pratama Arhan, Asnawi Mangkualam, Justin Hubner, Ivar Jenner, Rafael Struick, Ronaldo Kwateh and especially Marselino Ferdinan, the owner of a double goal against the Saudi Arabian team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.
Although the 2024 ASEAN Cup is mostly made up of young players, the core of the Indonesian team is still made up of players who play for famous clubs in the country (Persipura, Arema, Persib, Dewa United, Bali United...) and abroad (Muang Thong Utd, Port FC - Thailand, Suwon - Korea, Utrecht - Netherlands, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Oxford United - England).
Having never won the ASEAN Cup is the motivation for coach Shin Tae-yong and his team to compete with more than 100% determination in this year's tournament. In the past, Tim Garuda had to finish second 6 times in the most prestigious football playground in Southeast Asia (2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2016 and 2020). "Changing fortunes" at the ASEAN Cup 2024 is what the Indonesian team is aiming for.
Furthermore, in the last 3 meetings between the Vietnamese team and the Indonesian team, the absolute victory is leaning towards the opponent. All 3 losses of the Vietnamese team against the Indonesian team took place under coach Philippe Troussier. In short, the Indonesian team is still a strong candidate for the title at the ASEAN Cup 2024./.