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Shin Tae-yong has officially addressed Indonesia’s victory in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, marking the end of a 35-year wait for an international senior title. Following a tense 2-2 draw that concluded with a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Thailand at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on October 5, 2026, the coach has shifted his focus toward the immediate demands of the professional league season. The result secured Indonesia as the inaugural winner of the tournament, a historic milestone for the nation’s football.
While acknowledging the historic nature of the win, Shin Tae-yong emphasized that the squad must move on from the celebrations. “I congratulate the national team players who managed to become champions,” he stated, as reported by Bolasport.com. “But that euphoria must end here. Now, we must prepare ourselves well for the league competition.” Prabowo Subianto was present at the stadium to witness the trophy presentation alongside tens of thousands of spectators.
Focus Shifts to Persija Jakarta Schedule
For Shin Tae-yong, the return of his players to their respective clubs is a priority due to a congested domestic calendar.
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The transition is immediate for the Persija contingent. The club is scheduled to travel to Bantul to face PSIM Yogyakarta on October 10, 2026, for the fourth week of the 2026-2027 Super League. The team is currently aiming for a fourth victory to reclaim the top spot in the standings, a position briefly held by Dewa United.
Player Departures and International Availability
The post-tournament period has seen several key contributors depart the team environment earlier than expected to fulfill professional obligations in Europe. Pelupessy has similarly departed for Belgium to rejoin Lommel SK ahead of their fixture against SK Beveren on October 10. Both players were observed leaving the stadium in separate vehicles following the trophy ceremony, while the rest of the squad and staff departed via a team bus.
Meanwhile, the team’s success has had broader implications for the national program. Data from Indonesia Baik confirms that Indonesia climbed to 116th in the FIFA rankings as of October 7, 2026. This rise reflects a period of positive momentum for the Skuad Garuda, though they remain behind regional rivals Thailand, ranked 93rd, and Vietnam, ranked 99th. Recent athletic achievements, including five gold medals at the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games, suggest that national sports development is currently on a productive trajectory.
Support from the Sidelines
Not every player was able to participate in the championship campaign. Mees Hilgers, who was sidelined due to injury, expressed his support for his teammates from outside the squad. “I am very happy for the success of my country and of course I am proud of my teammates there,” Hilgers told Voetbalprimeur, as cited by VIVA.co.id. He acknowledged a sense of personal disappointment in missing the tournament, stating, “Tentu saja saya ingin menjadi bagian dari tim yang mampu meraih gelar juara yang sudah tidak dirasakan selama lebih dari 30 tahun.”
As the players integrate back into their club environments, Shin Tae-yong remains cautious about publicizing individual fitness reports. He declined to offer specific updates on his players’ physical conditions, citing the need for formal training assessments. “In my opinion, giving an uncertain statement to reporters like whether the condition is good or not is a mistake,” he said. “If I don’t know for sure, then guessing and speaking carelessly will only destroy the trust between us.”
The national team is already looking toward the next international window, with upcoming FIFA Matchday fixtures in November 2026, including a match against Jordan, as reported by VIVA.co.id. It remains to be seen how the squad will maintain its consistency as it strives to solidify its position at the top of the ASEAN football hierarchy.
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