Shin Tae-yong Proposes Changes to AFF Cup Format
Shin Tae-yong Calls for AFF Cup Format Change, Citing Player Fatigue
Jakarta – Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong has proposed a format change for the 2024 AFF Cup, citing player fatigue ahead of their crucial match against Vietnam.
Indonesia faces Vietnam at Viet Tri Stadium on Sunday, December 15th. This match comes after a grueling schedule that saw Indonesia play two games in just three days. The Garuda frist faced Myanmar on December 9th, followed by a match against Laos on December 12th.
“Two days ago, at the post-match press conference against Laos, I also spoke about the need to change the group stage format of the AFF cup,” Shin Tae-yong said, as quoted by Vietnamese media outlet Bongda24h.
“The group stage matches should be played in one country, and then the semifinals and finals should be played in a two-legged format,” he added.
Shin Tae-yong’s proposed format was actually used in previous AFF Cup tournaments. From 2004 to 2016, the group stage was played in a home-tournament format, with a two-legged home-and-away format introduced for the semifinals.
Though, this format saw a decline in attendance for matches involving teams that weren’t the host nation. The AFF later switched to the current format, where teams play two home and two away matches in the group stage.
Shin Tae-yong believes the older format would benefit the tournament. He argues that it would allow teams to focus better without the burden of extensive travel during the group stage.
“This would improve the quality of each team, and the level of play and skill of the players would increase, ultimately elevating the tournament’s standard,” Shin Tae-yong explained.
“The current format,which requires teams to travel extensively,is tough. Having only a three-day break between matches is essentially killing the players,” he concluded.
Shin Tae-yong’s Call for AFF Cup Format change: A Boon or Bane For Southeast Asian Football?
NewsDirectory3 reports: Following Indonesia’s recent victory against Laos in the AFF Cup group stage, Coach Shin Tae-yong ignited a debate amongst fans adn football pundits alike by proposing a dramatic restructure of the tournament format. Citing player fatigue as a major concern, shin argues that the current system, where teams crisscross Southeast Asia for group stage fixtures, is detrimental to the quality of the competition.
He suggests a return to the pre-2018 model, where the group stage is played in a single host nation, followed by a two-legged home-and-away format for the semifinals. This, according to Shin, would allow teams to focus on peak performance without the added pressure of constant travel and shortened recovery periods.
“Two days ago, at the post-match press conference against Laos, I also spoke about the need to change the group stage format of the AFF Cup,” Shin Tae-yong stated. ”The group stage matches should be played in one country, and then the semifinals and finals should be played in a two-legged format.”
this isn’t the first time the “old” format has been debated.While it effectively addressed player fatigue, it faced criticism for low attendance figures in matches involving non-host nations. The AFF ultimately shifted to the current format, aiming to enhance fan engagement across the region.
Shin’s proposal reignites this debate, raising crucial questions about the balance between player welfare and fan experience. While his arguments about fatigue hold merit, especially after Indonesia’s grueling back-to-back matches against Myanmar and Laos, the potential impact on regional engagement cannot be ignored.
would Shin’s proposed format be a step forward for the AFF Cup, prioritizing player performance and overall quality? Or dose it risk alienating fans and marginalizing the tournament’s regional appeal? As the competition intensifies, the debate surrounding the AFF Cup’s future format is sure to heat up.