Anticipating Indonesian National Team Will Attack All Out, Brunei Captain: They Can Use A Formation With 8 Strikers

Brunei Darussalam national team captain, Mohd Hendra Azam bin Mohd Idris (right). (Photo: Cosmas Kopong Beda/VOI)

JAKARTA – Brunei Darussalam national team captain Mohd Hendra Azam bin Mohd Idris believes that Indonesia is really strong now. He gave this praise ahead of the meeting between the two teams in the first round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone.

Brunei and Indonesia will play the first leg at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Thursday, October 12 at 19.00 WIB tomorrow. On paper, the Indonesian national team is favored to win.

Idris said that the Garuda troops would cause problems for his team. In fact, according to him, Shin Tae-yong's team could have installed eight strikers at once.

"In terms of preparation, we already know. Indonesia will definitely attack all out and it is very possible that they can use a 1-1-8 formation, eight strikers. So we have to be more solid in defense," said Idris in a press conference ahead of the match.

Statistically, Brunei is clearly far behind the Red and White Team. Idris emphasized that even though his team had a less than stellar record, he and his colleagues were present with maximum preparation to surprise the hosts.

"Regarding the next match, there is no fear, I am happy to play here. It seems like here I feel more brothers than in other countries. So, we will try to give our best and try to challenge the current Indonesian National Team which I feel is stronger than in previous years the previous year," he said.

After visiting SUGBK, Brunei will next play a home match against the Indonesian National Team at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium, Tuesday, 17 October 2023. If they are able to qualify, Marc Klok and his friends will undergo the second round in Group F with Iraq, Vietnam and the Philippines.