Indonesia Is Getting Calculated, China Doesn't Want To Be Boast

JAKARTA - The China vs Indonesia battle will be presented in the fourth match of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification at the Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

China is well aware that Indonesia is not the same team when faced a decade ago. The Garuda squad is now being taken into account in Asia.

Not to mention the results of the previous three 2026 World Cup Qualification matches, which Indonesia is better than China, even though they are only one rank different.

Indonesia does have the lowest FIFA ranking in Group C, but the Chinese coach, Branko Ivankovic, does not want to boast.

You see, the Garuda Squad was able to hold the giants Asia, Saudi Arabia and Australia, in the first two matches.

The Indonesian national team is currently ranked fourth in Group C standings with three points from three matches. Far from China, which has not gained points with the same number of matches.

Therefore, Ivankovic understands very well that his troops must work very hard if they want to get their first point.

"Our next opponent, Indonesia, is a strong team. We know they have a lot of players playing in the Belgian and Dutch leagues."

"So, we have to be aggressive and ambitious to get the results we want. Now it seems we are very close to getting points. We will continue to work hard," Ivankovic said on the AFC website.

Apart from that, judging by the strength of competitors in Group C which is beyond expectations, China has a non-giant target.

Ivankovic is aiming for the Fourth Round of Qualification as the third or fourth most realistic ranking rather than fighting for the top two of Group C.

"In the next seven matches, our goal is to be in the top four, qualify for the next round (Fourth Round). The most important thing is to maintain hope to enter the World Cup," Ivankovic said again.