Coach Shin Tae-yong fired if Indonesia loses to Saudi Arabia?

"If coach Shin Tae-yong loses again, even by a terrible score, the 54-year-old man will most likely be fired. Saying goodbye to a coach is nothing new in Indonesian football," Bola Indonesia commented on the current situation of Indonesian football.

After a successful first period with 3 draws, the Indonesian team suffered 2 consecutive defeats. They lost 1-2 away to China - a team that lost all matches in Group C of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. At home, Thom Haye and his teammates were defeated 0-4 by Japan. After 5 matches, Indonesia only had 3 points and ranked last in the group, greatly affecting their chances of participating in the 2026 World Cup.

In the 6th match, the Indonesian team will host Saudi Arabia at home. Coach Shin Tae-yong and his team aim to win despite the strong opponent. The task of winning 3 points is almost mandatory if the Indonesian team wants to have ambitions of advancing.

On the other side of the front line, after a series of unsatisfactory results, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has just fired coach Roberto Mancini. Having won EURO 2020 with Italy, this former player still failed to complete his mission and caused the West Asian team to decline. Coach Herve Renard was invited back to his old job and he somewhat brought a new breeze to the Saudi Arabian team.

Writer Choki Sihotang wrote: "In Europe, firing is the last resort for a coach whose performance has declined. Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag is an example. Therefore, if coach Shin Tae-yong is ultimately held responsible, the Indonesian Football Federation must prepare a list of quality replacement candidates. Coaches of Dutch origin will be given priority."

Before the two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November, PSSI president Erick Thohir said that the goal of participating in the World Cup is mandatory for Indonesian football. If coach Shin Tae-yong fails to complete the task, he will likely be fired.