Indonesia Vs Philippines: Winning Is The Only Choice

Indonesian National Team Coach Shin Tae-yong. (Gonang Susatyo)

SOLO - Winning is Indonesia's only choice when facing the Philippines in the last match of Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup. Coach Shin Tae-yong hopes that the Red and White team with the strength of young players will receive full support in the match which will be held at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 20.00 WIB.

The match was decisive for Indonesia. Despite being ranked second in the Group B standings, Indonesia received serious threats from two competitors, Myanmar and the Philippines. The 1-0 defeat against Vietnam postponed Indonesia's efforts to ensure that it won tickets to the semifinals.

The defeat made Indonesia pocketed four points. Points and goal difference for the national team were the same as Myanmar. However, Indonesia once defeated Myanmar 1-0 so that Shin's team was in second place.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, which is ranked fourth, remains a threat because they have point three. If they make a surprise by defeating Indonesia, they will definitely displace and eliminate Pratama Arhan et al's hopes of qualifying for the semifinals.

Coach Shin has also warned players and hopes that they will work hard to win the decisive match. Not only that, Shin hopes for full support from supporters because Indonesia has no choice but to win the match.

"This is a match to determine whether we can qualify or not. So we have to work hard and play optimally. Of course the burden exists because we have to win. However, we have made improvements to what this team lacks," Shin said in Solo, Friday, December 20, 2024.

"We hope for full support from supporters, both those who come to the stadium and those who watch national team matches on television. We ask for support for our young players so that they can win," he said again.

Responding to the problem of the front line of the team scoring more goals from set pieces and not from open play, Shin didn't even question it. The national team is expected to be able to break into the opponent's goal again from dead balls, especially those initiated by Pratama Arhan.

"Remember that the Philippines always concedes through a set piece," said Shin.

Meanwhile, the front player Hokky Caraka is not worried that the national team will only be able to score through a set piece. Although he hopes that there will be a goal from an open play or through the design of an attack, Hokky emphasizes the important thing is that Indonesia wins the match.

"The goals created depend on the situation on the ground. Whether through a set piece or open play, the important thing is goals. Of course I also have a target to score goals in the match against the Philippines," said Hokky.

"We did lose against Vietnam. But we were able to show the best performance and could match Vietnam before conceding when the match was over soon. Our fighting mentality also got stronger after that match," he said.

However, Indonesia cannot underestimate the Philippines. In the last match, they were able to hold Vietnam 1-1. Even The Azkals almost won before their goal conceded when the game was only a matter of seconds.

"We are fully ready for this match. After the match against Vietnam, we have five days, including two days off. So we have good preparation for tomorrow's match," said Shin.