When The Indonesian National Team Was Unseeded To The 2022 AFF Cup Final, Shin Tae-yong Still Had Time To TURN Things Around

Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong. (Photo: Twitter/@PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team will face Vietnam in the semifinals of the 2022 AFF Cup. The Garuda squad has the status of non-seeded this time.

This cannot be separated from the appearance of the two teams in the group stage. Despite qualifying unbeaten, the Indonesian national team was in the spotlight because its performance was inconclusive.

In contrast to Vietnam, which is so powerful in Group B. Even though in the group it is entrenched for Malaysia, Singapore and Myanmar.

Indonesian football observer, Kesit Budi Handoyo, revealed the things that Shin Tae-yong needed to do to face Vietnam in the 2022 AFF Cup semifinals. The Garuda squad is considered necessary to fix itself and correct mistakes during the group phase.

"We have to be more focused and more concentrated. There is still time to make improvements," said Kesit when contacted by VOI, Tuesday, January 3.

Vietnam could be a stumbling block for Indonesia's dream of winning this year's AFF Cup. Despite getting the same results in the group stage, Park Hang Seo's team performed more perfectly than Indonesia because they did not concede and managed to score a dozen goals in four matches.

Vietnam statistics is clearly a threat for Indonesia, which conceded three goals in the previous phase. In addition to the fragile defense, players in the front row often waste opportunities.

Kesit said that even though Vietnam is dangerous, Indonesia still has a chance. Especially in the last meeting in the group phase last 2020 edition, Indonesia was able to hold the Golden Stars draw.

"We can see again how because the coach is still the same, the players are still the same. This means that we already have experience in dealing with Vietnam," he said.

In the three most recent meetings in this competition, Vietnam has never won over Indonesia. Prior to the draw in the last edition, Vietnam fell (2-1) and drew (2-2) with Indonesia in the 2016 semifinals.

"So I think this can be a correction and then we can beat Vietnam. It was the most crucial match. If it is in the final we can be relieved, because we just have to win or not," said Kesit.

Vietnam and Indonesia will meet in two legs in the last four of this biennial event. The Garuda squad will play host first on Friday 6 January tomorrow before three days later it's the turn of The Golden Stars to host.