In the previous match in Group A, the Indonesian team lost to the Vietnamese team 0-3 at home. This result caused them to only get 6 points/3 matches, behind the Singapore team (7 points). Coach John Herdman's team must win against Singapore to be able to advance to the next round.
There are many positive points in the performance against Vietnam, although sometimes our defensive state transition reveals many gaps. Those are the issues that will be improved.
The Singapore team is a very different team from Vietnam. Each match brings its own challenges, and Singapore possesses unique identity as well as different qualities. The players all understand the importance of this match.
As a coach, my responsibility is to help them stay calm and focus on the process that helps unite the whole team as well as bring victory. They will be ready," said the Indonesian national team coach.
Just a draw is enough for Singapore to overcome Indonesia and advance to the semi-finals, but Mr. Herdman does not believe that coach Gavin Lee will choose a crowded defensive style just to earn a necessary point.
Instead, he expects his students to maintain composure in their efforts to regain their image after the heavy defeat against the Vietnamese team.
He said: "Keeping calm means focusing on the task, but we also need to play with a fire of enthusiasm. We are a team that is both hurt and eager to prove ourselves, first of all to ourselves and then to everyone. I believe that we have ignited that fire in the whole team.
Calmness comes from committing to implementing team play. We have built solidarity in the team, and everyone understands what needs to be done. That is the meaning of calmness: being steadfast in the set plan and believing in our ability to succeed. However, fire spirit is also an indispensable factor”.
The Singapore team will have the advantage of playing at home. However, they will not have the service of midfielder Kyoga Nakamura due to suspension. They are aiming to reach the ASEAN Cup semi-finals for the third time in the last four tournaments. After victories against Cambodia and Timor-Leste and a draw against Vietnam, they only need one more point to qualify for the next round.
Right from the start of the tournament, we have determined that the performance on the field will determine the destination of the team, and that will not change in tomorrow night's match. We cannot let circumstances or potential results affect our playing style.
We have come to this stage thanks to maintaining our identity and showing our true football style, so we will not let calculations about qualifications dominate the approach to the match.
However, if the situation requires making specific decisions in the last minutes, we will be sober enough to do that. As for now, our approach has not changed," the Singapore national team coach shared.
The Singapore vs Indonesia match will take place at 8:00 PM on August 7.
