Indonesian star 'challenges' Vietnam and Thailand teams

" Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia all have the goal of participating in the World Cup, this is very understandable. However, the Indonesian team will be the first to qualify for the World Cup among the three countries. We are making strong progress and have many quality stars in the squad, " defender Asnawi Mangkualam told Thai media before returning home to prepare for the 2024 AFF Cup.

The 1999-born player's assessment is well-founded as the Indonesian team became the best Southeast Asian team in the third qualifying round of the World Cup in Asia. Previously, Thailand entered the third qualifying round in 2018 but only got 2 draws. The Vietnamese team did better 4 years later when they defeated China and drew with Japan, earning 4 points.

Asnawi Mangkualam is the captain of the Indonesian national team.

The Indonesian team won 6 points with 3 draws, 1 win, 2 losses after 6 matches. They are temporarily ranked 3rd in Group C after Japan and Australia. According to the rules, the 2 teams at the top of each group will qualify for the World Cup. The teams ranked 3rd and 3rd will enter the 4th qualifying round. The group winner in this round will continue to qualify for the world finals. The two second-placed teams will compete against each other to find the team that will play in the intercontinental play-off.

Asnawi Mangkualam is the captain of the Indonesian national team but has quickly lost his place to quality naturalized players. In two matches in November, he was dropped from the squad despite recovering from injury and playing for Port FC in the Thai League. When this star plays, the Indonesian national team often...does not have good results.

However, coach Shin Tae-yong has just decided to call Asnawi to the national team to participate in the AFF Cup 2024. He is likely to continue to play the role of leader. Indonesia will participate in the AFF Cup 2024 with many players under the age of 22 along with some big stars such as Ivar Jenner, Justin Hubner, Rafael Struick, Marselino Ferdinan.

The archipelago team is in Group B with Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and Laos.

Mai Phuong

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/sao-indonesia-khieu-chien-tuyen-viet-nam-thai-lan-ar909121.html