The Indonesian National Team Focuses On Cohesiveness Ahead Of The Iraqi Meeting In The First Match Of The 2023 Asian Cup

The Indonesian national team focused on facing the inaugural match against Iraq in Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesia vs Iraq national team at the 2023 Asian Cup will take place at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Monday, January 15, 2023, at 21.30 WIB.

The Garuda squad focused on team cohesiveness ahead of the inaugural match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup.

"We are more prepared to build team cohesiveness and how to hone tactics to fight Iraq. We have to be aware of all the players because we have to focus on every minute."

"Iraq is also a mature team and their cohesiveness is no longer worth questioning. So, we have to focus," said Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, after the last exercise.

Cohesiveness, according to Ernando, is very useful in anticipating the dangerous movements of Iraqi players as well as minimizing their own mistakes.

"Anticipate for sure yes. So, we hone it in cohesiveness. We can cover each other's mistakes," said the Persebaya Surabaya goalkeeper.

Currently, the Indonesian national team is more focused on the first match against Iraq. The party against Vietnam and Japan will be focused after the group's inaugural match.

"Looking at the Vietnam match against Japan, we have provisions to prepare the team. We have an analyst team. I just want to focus on the inaugural match against Iraq first, then talk about the next matches."

"My team and I want to give our best for Indonesia. We also spur our own spirit," he said.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian national team had met with Iraq in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone which was held in Basra, November 16, 2023. At that time, Iraq defeated Indonesia with a landslide score of 5-1.

Based on FIFA's latest data on December 21, 2023, Iraq is ranked 63rd, or number seven in Asia. Indonesia is in the 146th position.

This match is very important to prove that the Indonesian national team can do a lot in the 2023 Asian Cup.

After fighting Iraq, the Indonesian national team will face Vietnam on January 19, 2024 at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. After that, in the last match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup, the Garuda Squad will face Japan, January 24, 2024, at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha.