JAKARTA - Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong estimates that Indonesia will not win easily over Cambodia in the first match of the 2022 AFF Cup group phase. The Garuda squad will face Cambodia in the inaugural Group A match at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on Friday, December 23 tomorrow.
On paper, Indonesia is favored to win because the hosts' meeting record is far superior. However, Shin Tae-yong did not want to underestimate the opposing team.
"I emphasize that the ball is round. So I can't say we will get the victory easily. Depending on the situation, it can also change. However, what is clear is that we have to win tomorrow," Shin said in a press conference ahead of the match.
On paper, Indonesia does have a good record against Cambodia in the AFF Cup. In total, of the five meetings in this competition, the Red and White team is always recorded as winning.
Indonesia's first victory over Cambodia began in the first edition of 1996. At that time, the Angkor Warriors troops were beaten with a landslide score of three goals without reply.
Indonesia then won in the next four editions each occurred in 2002 (4-2), following 2004 which was the biggest victory (8-0), followed in 2008 (4-0), and most recently 2020 (4-2).
Shin said the record could not be used as a benchmark. Especially Cambodia started this year's group phase with a 3-2 win over the Philippines in away matches.
"Currently Cambodia is very good. In the home match against the Philippines, victory has been won and its performance is also good, while we, for several months, have never been able to compete officially," he said.
Until now, Indonesia is still looking for its first title from the biennial championship. Previously, Garuda Troops had entered the final six times, but always came home as runners up.
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