Sports

Ex-South Korea coach Shin to take over struggling Indonesia

December 27, 2019
In this file photo taken on June 26, 2018, South Korea's coach Shin Tae-yong addresses a press conference in Kazan during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. Former South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong has been tapped to take over Indonesia's struggling national team, the country's football association said on Friday. — AFP
In this file photo taken on June 26, 2018, South Korea's coach Shin Tae-yong addresses a press conference in Kazan during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. Former South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong has been tapped to take over Indonesia's struggling national team, the country's football association said on Friday. — AFP

JAKARTA — Former South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong has been tapped to take over Indonesia's struggling national team, the country's football association said on Friday.

Shin, who led South Korea at last year's World Cup in Russia — where they famously ousted defending champions Germany — is expected to be formally unveiled on Saturday.

"We have invited Shin to finalise the contract. After that he will be introduced later on Saturday," Mochamad Iriawan, chairman of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), said in a statement Friday.

"Hopefully all the process will run well."

The expected appointment of Shin, 50, comes after the PSSI sacked Scotsman Simon McMenemy in November with Indonesia bottom of their 2022 World Cup qualifying group on zero points from five games.

Indonesia also floundered in last year's Southeast Asian championship, the Suzuki Cup, where they finished fourth out of five teams in their group.

Indonesia have had significant problems off the pitch, with the two former chairmen leaving the PSSI this year amid match-fixing allegations.

In October, Indonesia's football association was slapped with a $45,000 FIFA fine over crowd chaos that erupted at a match against Malaysia in Jakarta.

Indonesian football and its professional league have been tarnished by a host of problems, including match-fixing scandals and deadly hooliganism. — AFP


December 27, 2019
HIGHLIGHTS
Sports
5 days ago

Saudi Arabia open to expanded 64-team World Cup in 2034, says sports minister

Sports
5 days ago

Super Max Verstappen scorches to pole with record lap in Jeddah

Sports
6 days ago

Lando Norris sets the pace as Formula 1 action heats up in Jeddah