After a resounding 7-0 victory over Timor-Leste in the opening match, the Vietnamese team was surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Singapore at My Dinh Stadium. This result caused coach Kim Sang-sik's team to only have 4 points after 2 matches, temporarily ranked behind Singapore and Indonesia in the rankings.
The draw not only caused the Vietnamese team to lose the advantage in the race for the top spot but also ended the 26-match consecutive scoring streak in all competitions. Despite creating many opportunities, strikers such as Dinh Bac, Xuan Son or Hoang Hen could not take advantage of them to bring victory.
On the other side, Indonesia is in high form with 2 consecutive victories against Cambodia (5-1) and Timor-Leste (3-0), thereby winning all 6 points. Coach John Herdman's team possesses a squad of physically fit players and many quality naturalized players, creating formidable competitiveness in Group A.
The home advantage of the Pakansari stadium and the cheers of tens of thousands of spectators will also be the fulcrum for Indonesia to enter the game at high speed and put pressure from the first minutes. However, the performance against Timor-Leste also showed that the island nation team was not really sharp when facing opponents playing with a large number of defenders.
On the Vietnamese team side, coach Kim Sang-sik's team still has a basis for confidence. The framework with Le Giang Patrik, Thanh Chung, Van Hau, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc or Xuan Son are all experienced players in big matches. The ability to control the game and certainty in defense will be important factors if the Vietnamese team wants to achieve favorable results.
The head-to-head history between the two teams is quite balanced. After 31 encounters in all competitions, Indonesia won 11 matches, Vietnam won 9 matches and the two teams drew 11 matches. In the ASEAN Cup (AFF Cup) alone, the two teams have faced each other 13 times with 3 wins each, and the remaining 7 draws.
Notably, the Vietnamese team is on a 4-match winless streak against Indonesia at the ASEAN Cup. In the most recent meeting at this tournament, coach Kim Sang-sik's team won 1-0, thereby ending the winless streak against the opponent.
With the importance of the match, this is likely to be a tight, tactical competition. Indonesia has home advantage, while Vietnam possesses the bravery of the defending champion. If they take advantage of opportunities and maintain solidity in defense, the Vietnamese team can completely aim to win 3 points right at the Pakansari stadium.
The match between Indonesia and the Vietnamese team will take place at 8:30 PM tonight (August 3).
Expected lineup
Nadeo; Sandy Walsh, Ridho, Dony Tri, Pattynama; Thom Haye, Ivar Jenner, Marc Klok, Eliano Reijnders; Beckham Putra, Baker.
Le Giang Patrik; Thanh Chung, Xuan Manh, Van Hau; Van Vi, Tien Anh, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc; Dinh Bac, Xuan Son, Hoang Hen.
