Review Of The Indonesian National Team Against Burundi: Garuda's Mission To Improve FIFA Rankings

The combination of the national team will be strengthened with several old faces. (Photo/INSTAGRAM @pssi)

JAKARTA The strength of the Indonesian national team will be tested by the Burundi national team in international friendly matches. On paper ranked Garuda is far below.

The two teams will face off on two occasions. The first match will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Chandrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, West Java.

This match is FIFA's official match so that Indonesia will play a match with a point-finding mission to improve FIFA rankings.

Currently, the Indonesian national team is ranked 151st FIFA. Meanwhile, Burundi is ten places better than the Garuda Troops.

The winning results will be significant for Indonesia. But the result is certainly not easy, even though Burundi's football is still growing.

In 2019, the team nicknamed the 'Walet Bird' qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. Unfortunately, throughout the tournament they always lost and without scoring a single goal.

"I started watching Burundi's match recordings. They have a style that is not much different from other African teams," said Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong.

To face this match against Burundi, the South Korean tactician acknowledged that there was a change in the squad compared to the 2022 AFF Cup. This is reflected in the names of the players who were called.

The 52-year-old coach called a number of debutants such as Yance Sayuri and Daffa Fasya, Dzaky Asraf, and Dony Tri Pamungkas, who are trio players from the Indonesian U-20 national team.

This combination is reinforced by several old faces. Among them are Stefano Lilipaly, Riko Simanjuntak and Dimas Drajad who have recovered from long injuries.

Formation Estimated

Indonesia (4-2-3-1): Nadeo Argawinata; Asnawi Mangkualam, Jordi Amat, Elkan Baggott, Pratama Arhan; Marc Klok, Rachmat Irianto; Saddil Ramdani, Witan Sulaeman, Yakob Sayuri; Ramadan Sananta.

Coach: Shin Tae-yong

Burundi (4-3-3): Justin Ndikumana; Karim Nizigiyimana, Christophe Nduwarugara, Rashid Harerimana, Marco Weymans; Shassiri Nahimana, Jospin Nshimiriamana, Steve Nzigamasabo; Saidi Ntibazonkiza, Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, Saido Berahino.

Coach: Etienne Ndayiragije