Shin Tae-yong on Pratama Arhan's Absence Ahead of AFF Cup Final Against Thailand

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian soccer team coach Shin Tae-yong commented on the absence of one of its key players, Pratama Arhan, in the upcoming AFF Cup final against the five-time AFF Cup champion, Thailand.

The first leg of the finals will be hosted in Singapore’s National Stadium on Wednesday, December 29.

“Arhan is unable to play due to yellow cards accumulated throughout the cup. This is an unwanted situation but as a coach, I must be able to overcome the situation. It is not an issue,” said the Shin in an online press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 28. 

Arhan is one of the key players for the Indonesian team and had only been replaced once during a game against Laos due to injuries the 20-year old sustained. His injury saw him absent in the game against Cambodia, but always played for the team throughout the Cup. He managed to score two goals against Malaysia and Singapore.

He will likely be replaced by Mohammad Edo Febriansyah, Antaranews reported. 

Thailand’s national team also face similar situation. They will have to play without two of its key players, Theerathon Bunmathan and Chatchai Budprom, after the former collected yellow cards while the latter sustained an injury that forced him to be absent until the end of the tournament. 

“Thailand players are all formidable but football is round. We will perform our best in the field,” said Shin Tae-yong. 

Indonesia has faced-off with Thailand in the 2000, 2002, and 2016 AFF Cups, which were all won by Thailand. This also marks the sixth time Indonesia broke into the finals. 

Read: Jakarta Police Allow Gatherings for 2020 AFF Cup Final under Health Protocols

ANTARA