ASEAN Cup 2024, The Indonesian National Team Is Expected To Make It Difficult For Vietnam To Maintain Positive Mentality

JAKARTA - Indonesian football observer Mohamad Kusnaeni hopes that the Indonesian national team will be able to make it difficult for Vietnam to maintain a positive mentality in facing the next match in the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

"Don't let Vietnam lose badly, which can make players fall mentally. Try your best to make it difficult for Vietnam to master the game," said Mohamad Kusnaeni, quoted from Antara, Sunday, December 15.

The Indonesian national team will travel to Vietnam headquarters to play the third match of Group B ASEAN Cup 2024 at the Viet Tri Stadium on Sunday (15/12) at 20.00 WIB.

Kusnaeni said the duel against Vietnam would be very crucial for the Garuda squad's journey to the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

Without intending to underestimate Kadek Arel and his friends, Kusnaeni assessed that it was very difficult for the Garuda squad to win the match because the current flight hours and material for Vietnamese players were much stronger.

Most of the Vietnamese players, he said, were senior players, even key players like Nguyen Quang Hai or Nguyen Tien Linh were already above 50 caps with the national team.

In addition, the player's fatigue factor due to limited rest time with a trip to Vietnam is quite draining the energy of the Indonesian national team players.

"We still hope that the Indonesian national team can achieve positive results in Vietnam. Even if it is difficult to win, at least we can get a draw," he said.

He said coach Shin Tae-yong's team must perform well by playing compact, insisting, and more cooperation between players and interliners to maintain momentum and mentality in the match in preparation for the last match in the group stage against the Philippines.

Positive performance and mentality, he said, are needed to be more prepared when hosting the Philippines because it is an opportunity to qualify for the knockout phase if you can collect full points.

"So by performing well against Vietnam, the national team will go home mentally positive. Plus a longer rest period later, I am optimistic that we will be able to beat the Philippines and qualify for the semifinals," he said.