ndonesia’s Football Association (PSSI) President Erick Thohir has acknowledged the difficulty of earning points against Vietnam in the third match of Group B at the ASEAN Cup 2024.
Indonesia recently endured a challenging encounter in their second match of the tournament. Despite fighting back twice after Laos took the lead, they ultimately settled for a dramatic 3-3 draw. In the second half, Muhammad Ferrari momentarily gave Indonesia a 3-2 lead despite the team playing with 10 men after Marselino Ferdinan’s red card. However, Laos equalized through a strike from Peeter, leaving the Indonesian side frustrated.
Mr.Thohir expressed his concerns about the upcoming clash with Vietnam, stating, “I hope the Indonesian team can perform better and stay composed against Vietnam. I understand the struggles of our young players. Indonesia has a solid pool of talented players across all age groups. Many of them are already regulars in the national league, and some have yet to be called up. I appreciate their efforts and determination.”
According to Indonesia’s Republika, Thohir was particularly displeased with Marselino Ferdinan’s red card, which severely impacted the team’s performance. Ferdinan received his first yellow card in the 40th minute after a reckless challenge on Laos captain Bounphachan Bounkong, who had executed an impressive move. His second booking in the 69th minute came after a dangerous foul to halt a quick Laos counterattack, forcing Indonesia to play with 10 men for the remainder of the game.
Despite these setbacks, Thohir remains optimistic about Indonesia’s potential. He expressed confidence in head coach Shin Tae-yong, who he believes has a clear understanding of Indonesia’s strengths and weaknesses and can craft an effective strategy for the clash against Vietnam.
Thohir also praised the dedication of Indonesian players based overseas, many of whom have made sacrifices in their club careers to represent the national team. “I trust that our players will rise to the occasion and give their best against Vietnam,” he added.
Indonesia’s upcoming match against Vietnam, scheduled for December 15 at the Viet Tri Stadium, is seen as a pivotal fixture for both teams as they aim for top honors in Group B.
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