FAJAR.CO.ID, JAKARTA — PSSI Exco member, Arya Sinulingga, became the target of netizens’ anger after the Indonesian National Team was confirmed to have failed to advance to the 2026 World Cup finals. The Garuda Team’s 0-1 defeat to Iraq left many fans disappointed and vented their anger on social media.
The disappointment of Indonesian National Team supporters is not only focused on the results of the match, but also towards Arya Sinulingga. This was triggered by Arya’s old upload which was considered to be satirizing coach Shin Tae-yong.
In the upload, Arya posted a photo with the caption “the best Indonesian National Team coaching team”, which was intended to refer to the new line of coaches: Patrick Kluivert, Alex Pastoor, Gerald Vanenburg and Denny Landzaat. However, some netizens considered the upload to be a satire on Shin Tae-yong, the previous coach who was considered by many to be instrumental in bringing the national team to a higher level.
After the defeat to Iraq, Arya Sinulingga finally apologized via his personal Instagram account, @arya.m.sinulingga.
“Everyone involved in the national team’s journey has tried their best. They have given their best for this nation,” wrote Arya.
He also said that this result was part of fate. “Humans can plan, but God decides. We apologize,” he concluded.
However, the apology did not calm netizens’ anger. The comments column on Arya’s upload was flooded with thousands of disappointed responses. Many believe that Arya and the PSSI Exco staff are also responsible for the failure of the Indonesian National Team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifications.