Brunei Coach Threatens Indonesian National Team: Ball Is Round

Brunei national team coach Darussalam Mario Rivera. (Photo: Cosmas Kopong Beda/VOI)

JAKARTA The coach of the Brunei Darussalam national team, Mario Rivera, is ready to surprise the Indonesian national team when the two teams meet in the first round of the Asian zone 2026 World Cup Qualification.

Brunei will undergo an away match against the Indonesian national team at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Thursday, October 11, 2023 at 19.00 WIB. The visitors are really ready to face Shin Tae-yong's squad.

"For tomorrow we know the game will be tough for us, but the game will start with 0-0. The ball is round. Even though the rankings of Indonesia and Brunei are much different, we will try to give our best and be competitive tomorrow," said Rivera.

On paper, Brunei has a less convincing record in the history of the previous 13 meetings since 1971. Brunei received the latest defeat against Indonesia in the 2022 AFF Cup group phase.

At that time, Rivera's men suffered a crushing defeat of seven goals without reply.

Rivera said, unlike the previous clashes, his team is currently coming in a better condition. Complete preparation has also been made so that their targets can get better results.

"I think tomorrow's game will be very different from the previous one because there will be a lot of different players. Our team will also be in better shape, we have more time to prepare ourselves. We will be more competitive," said the 46-year-old Spaniard.

The Indonesian national team needs to secure victory in tomorrow's match to relax more when playing the second leg away match to Brunei headquarters on Tuesday, October 17.

If successful in the two legs against Brunei, Indonesia will qualify for the second round. In that round, Shin Tae-yong's squad entered Group F and will face tougher opponents from Iraq, Vietnam, and the Philippines.