The FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers have been a rollercoaster ride for the Indonesian football team, Garuda. Having secured a respectable 5th place finish in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers, Indonesia faced an uphill battle in the third and final round. However, the team’s fortunes took a positive turn with the appointment of Shin Tae-yong as head coach. Under Shin’s guidance, Garuda has shown remarkable improvement, showcasing a more organized and attacking brand of football.
Shin’s tactics have paid dividends, as Indonesia has managed to hold regional powerhouses Thailand and Vietnam to draws, while also securing a historic 2-1 victory over Malaysia. The team’s newfound resilience was further evident in their recent 1-0 upset win against Kuwait, a team ranked significantly higher than Indonesia in the FIFA World Rankings. These results have injected a renewed sense of belief within the squad and have raised hopes that Indonesia can defy the odds and qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever.
The road ahead remains challenging, with Indonesia currently sitting in 5th place in Group G, four points behind second-placed Vietnam. However, with four matches remaining, including crucial clashes against Thailand and Vietnam, Garuda’s destiny is still in their own hands. Should they manage to overcome these obstacles and finish among the top two teams in the group, Indonesia will advance to the next phase of the qualifiers, bringing them one step closer to realizing their World Cup dream.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers have been an invaluable experience for the Indonesian football team. The team has gained valuable match experience against top Asian sides, and Shin Tae-yong has instilled a winning mentality that has been lacking in previous years. While the path to qualification remains arduous, the progress made under Shin’s leadership has given Indonesian fans renewed hope that their beloved team can achieve the unthinkable and make history at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
