The first leg match of the AFF Cup 2022 semi-finals with Indonesia is expected to be a tough clash for Vietnam. The match is played at Bung Karno Stadium of Indonesia at 4:30pm on January 6. Playing away at an intimidating stadium, Vietnam have to have an appropriate strategy and play as well as high concentration in order to get a good result.
The first leg match of the AFF Cup 2022 semi-finals with Indonesia is expected to be a tough clash for Vietnam. The match is played at Bung Karno Stadium of Indonesia at 4:30pm on January 6. Playing away at an intimidating stadium, Vietnam have to have an appropriate strategy and play as well as high concentration in order to get a good result.
A crowd crush happened at a stadium of Indonesia last October, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries. Recently, the bus transported Thailand players to Bung Karno Stadium was stopped and thrown at by a group of fanatical football fans. Security and safety are now a top concern of the AFF Cup teams when they play away at the stadiums of Indonesia. Therefore, to ensure the safety of the semi-final first leg match between Vietnam and Indonesia, Indonesia Football Federation decided to change the fixture between Vietnam and Indonesia from 7:30pm to 4:30pm. Besides, FIFA, AFC, AFF and Vietnam Football Federation will help to ensure the safety for the players.
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In addition to the pressure from football supporters, Vietnam are expected to face difficulties playing against Indonesia. Indonesia enter the semi-finals as the runners-up of Group A with 3 wins and 1 draw. They scored 12 goals and conceded 3 ones. Under the instruction of Korean coach Shin Tae Yong, Indonesia have displayed positive changes in their play. At AFF Cup 2020 group stage, despite playing with a strong line-up, Vietnam were held 0-0 by Indonesia. Except for the 4-0 and 3-1 wins at the World Cup 2022 qualifying round, over 26 years, Vietnam have never won in the clash with Indonesia. It can be said that Indonesia is the nemesis of Vietnam at AFF Cup.
Therefore, in order to overcome a tough opponent like Indonesia at intimidating Bung Karno Stadium, besides appropriate strategy and play, Vietnamese players have to focus and avoid being subjective as well as defensive mistakes as they made in the recent match with Myanmar. Vietnam passed the group stage with a diverse and effective attacking play. 9 players scored 12 goals; the defenders and goalkeeper have kept their goal clean. However, Vietnam need to be careful with the current strong attacking line of Indonesia. Indonesia are highly appreciated for their powerful attacking play from sidelines with defenders Pratama Arhan and Asnawi Mangkualam. Good techniques and awareness of space of forwards Pratama Arhan and Asnawi Mangkualam are also the strength of Indonesia. Therefore,
Vietnam’s defenders will have to be very focused to avoid an unfavorable result.
An Nhien
Translated by H.N
