Indonesian Vs Thailand Preview: Shin Tae Yong Buru Prime Victory

Indonesian national team player Syahrian Abimanyu (17) celebrated the first goal of the Garuda national team against Brunei Darussalam (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA The continued match for the 2022 AFF Cup group phase will continue this evening. The duel of two favorite teams to win Indonesia and Thailand that we have been waiting for will also struggle with each other.

The third match of Group A which will be held at the Bung Karno Gelora Stadium, Thursday, December 29 at 16.30 WIB, will be an opportunity for Shin Tae Yong to hunt his first victory over Thailand.

This is the fifth match the South Korean coach has played against the War Elephant team since winning the Indonesian national team. In the previous four meetings, the 52-year-old tactician has not yet secured a win.

The four meetings that Shin Tae Yong failed to win occurred in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asia Second Round Group G zone, 2020 AFF Cup finals, and Vietnam's 2021 SEA Games in May 2022.

While qualifying for the World Cup, Shin only got a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, during a duel in the 2020 AFF final which took place in two legs, Indonesia lost 0-4 in the first leg and drew 2-2 in the second leg.

When they met at the SEA Games, Garuda's troops were able to force Thailand to play goalless in normal time. Unfortunately, the Red and White squad had to be eliminated after losing 0-1 in extra time.

In addition to Shin's unsatisfactory record, Indonesia also has the same minus record when it met Thailand. Garuda has never won in the five latest meetings at the senior level, including three when handled by Shin.

The history of meetings in the AFF Cup is still on Thailand's side so far. They have won nine times, drew three times, and only lost twice in this biennial competition for Southeast Asia.

Therefore, this afternoon's match will be a tough test for Egy Maulana Vikri and his colleagues. Garuda is expected to win in front of approximately 50 thousand spectators who are reported to be present.

Indonesia last hosted Thailand at Gelora Bung Karno was in 2019. At that time, Garuda was made to suffer by the War Elephant team with three goals without reply.

The journey of both teams in the AFF Cup so far is still smooth, both of them can reap maximum points from two matches. Indonesia won over Cambodia and Brunei, while Thailand beat Brunei and the Philippines.

5 Indonesia v Thailand Last Meeting

01/01/2022 Thailand 2-2 Indonesia

29/12/2021 Indonesia 0-4 Thailand

03/06/2021 Thailand 2-2 Indonesia

10/09/2019 Indonesia 0-3 Thailand

17/11/2018 Thailand 4-2 Indonesia

Formation Estimation

Indonesia (4-3-2-1): Nadeo Argawinata (goalkeeper); Fachruddin Aryanto, Jordi Amat, Pratama Arhan, Asnawi Mangkualam; Marc Klok, Ricky Kambuaya, Marselino Ferdinand; Witan Sulaeman, Egy Maulana Vikri; Ilija Spasojevic.

Thailand (4-4-2): Kittipong PHOthawchuek (goalkeeper); Kritsada Kaman, Pansa Hemviboon, Suphanan Bureerat, Sasalak Haiprakhon; Theerathon Bunmathan, Sarach Yooyen, Bordin Phala, Ekanit Panya; Teerasil Dangda, Adisak Kraisorn.