Indonesia fires head coach ahead of vital World Cup qualifiers

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has dismissed Shin Tae-yong as head coach of its national team, the country’s federation announced on Monday.

“This decision was made based on long and mature considerations and evaluations carried out by as a whole regarding the team’s performance and the long-term goals that the Indonesian National Football Team wants to achieve” the Indonesian federation, known locally as PSSI, said in a statement.

Appointed in 2020, the South Korean boss had led Indonesia to the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup for the first time. In November, the team defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 to move into third place in the six-team group with four games remaining.

At a press conference in Jakarta, PSSI chairman Erick Thohir, who handed Shin a contract extension to 2027 last June, explained the decision.

“The dynamics of the national team need special attention from us,” Thohir said. “We see the need for a leader who can better implement strategies agreed upon by the players, good communication and better implementation.”

There was no announcement of a replacement, though there is speculation that the new boss could be European.

The national team’s recent success has been driven by the naturalization of players of Indonesian heritage, born and raised in Europe. Of the team that started November’s victory over Saudi Arabia, only Marselino Ferdinan, who scored both goals, was born in the Southeast Asian nation.

Indonesia’s next qualifier is against Australia in March.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE -Indonesian national team Head coach Shin Tae Yong talks to his players during the Asian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Australia and Indonesia at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)