Indonesian newspaper gives home team "ultimatum" in match against Vietnam

In the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region, Indonesia is in Group F with Vietnam, Iraq, and the Philippines.

Indonesia has consistently lost to the Vietnamese national team in recent years.

In theory, Iraq is considered the stronger team compared to the three Southeast Asian representatives.

Therefore, Indonesia will compete for a spot in the third round of qualifiers along with Vietnam and the Philippines.

CNN Indonesia analyzed: "Even if we don't beat Iraq in Group F, we still have a chance to qualify for the next round by finishing second in the group and defeating Vietnam."

Meanwhile, the Philippines are not a threat to us at all. In 21 historical encounters, the Indonesian team has only lost once to this opponent.”

The Indonesian newspaper also reiterated that their national team has consistently lost to the Vietnamese national team in recent years.

"Since coach Shin Tae-yong took over, we have never beaten the Vietnamese national team. Indonesia's best result against Vietnam during this period was only two draws, in the semi-finals of the 2020 and 2022 AFF Cups," CNN Indonesia continued.

Nevertheless, the Indonesian newspaper suggests that, at the present time, their team is stronger than Vietnam, so coach Shin Tae-yong's team has the right to dream of qualifying for the third round of the 2026 World Cup.

"Indonesia's chances of advancing to the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region are quite high, provided we can defeat the Vietnamese team," CNN Indonesia concluded.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese national team has played 6 friendly matches (3 wins and 3 losses) under coach Troussier.

Most recently, the red-shirted team suffered three consecutive defeats against stronger opponents during the FIFA Days in October: China, Uzbekistan, and South Korea.

According to the schedule, the two matches between the Vietnamese and Indonesian national teams in Group F of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will take place on March 21st and March 26th, 2024.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/bao-indonesia-ra-toi-hau-thu-cho-doi-nha-trong-cuoc-do-suc-voi-tuyen-viet-nam-192231022180312337.htm