Ex-Indonesian National Team Coach Shin Tae-yong Meets Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo Before Returning to South Korea

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesian national team coach met with Minister of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) Dito Ariotedjo before returning to his home country, South Korea. The tactician who is familiarly called by his abbreviation 'STY' visited the Minister of Youth and Sports' residence on Jalan Denpasar Raya, Jakarta.

In the meeting that took place before his return on Sunday night, January 26, 2025, Shin Tae-yong conveyed the message that he loves Indonesia after five years of handling the Indonesian national football team and also leading his team to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.

"After five years, I will return to Korea. To the football fans and the people of Indonesia, I express my deepest gratitude. Even though I have to return, I love Indonesia," said Shin Tae-yong, quoted from the Kemenpora website, as reported by Antara.

Shin Tae-yong was recruited as the head coach of the Indonesian national team by PSSI during the leadership of Mochamad Iriawan alias Iwan Bule on January 8, 2020. Exactly two days before his five-year term, he was fired by PSSI, which is now led by Erick Thohir, on January 6, 2025. His dismissal was carried out shortly after failing to bring Indonesia to the semifinals of the 2024 AFF Cup.

To the Minister of Youth and Sports, the South Korean coach also explained his plan to continue supporting the development of Indonesian football through the Shin Tae-yong Football Academy. The football academy is designed to produce talented young players in Indonesia.

Minister of Youth and Sports Dito appreciated the great contribution that Shin Tae-yong has made so far. He said that the dedication of the South Korean coach has had a positive influence on the development of Indonesian football.

"I, on behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia, would like to thank Coach Shin for his dedication and love for Indonesian football," said Dito.

The Minister of Youth and Sports also welcomed the establishment of the Shin Tae-yong Football Academy. He considered this academy a positive step in building a new generation for the Indonesian national team. "This football academy is very suitable for building our local youth national team," he said.

Dito then gave a souvenir in the form of a batik cloth with a football motif to Shin Tae-yong as a form of respect for him. Meanwhile, the coach gave ginseng typical of South Korea as a sign of friendship.

returned home with his entourage on a Korean Air plane from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 21:50 WIB.

ANTARA

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