REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian national team will host the Philippines on the last matchday of Group F of the World Cup Qualifier 2026 Asia Zone at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, Tuesday (11/6/2024) evening. This match will determine the Garuda squad's move forward.

Winning, means a ticket to qualify for the third round of qualifying is in hand. That is, the dream of competing in the World Cup is getting closer to being realized, although the road will be even more steep to pass.

A draw, let alone a loss, can be a nightmare. Because, Indonesia should expect help from Iraq to conquer Vietnam in Basrah, Iraq. Because, the difference in superiority of Indonesia, which is ranked second in Group F, is only one point from Vietnam in third place. Only the top two teams from each second round qualifying group will qualify for the third round.

The pressure is certain, but optimism seeps from within the Indonesian national squad. The greatest optimism certainly came from coach Shin Tae-yong. It has been his job to build great confidence for his players to win games.

“I'm not so worried for this game because we will definitely be ready to get tickets to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. So, please trust the Indonesians to the national players,” Shin told a news conference the day before the match in SUGBK.

Ahead of this meeting between the two Southeast Asian nations, Indonesia was seeded for having a dominant record when facing The Azkals. From 25 matches in various events, Indonesia managed to secure 20 victories, while the other four ended in draws and the Philippines only managed one perfect result.

Meanwhile in the two countries' last 10 meetings, Indonesia remains the better after notching five wins, four matches ending in draws, and swallowing one defeat. The Philippines' only win came in the 2014 AFF Cup. Kurnia Meiga and colleagues were defeated by a crushing 0-4 score.

Even so, Indonesia must be wary of the Philippines because at the last meeting of the two countries in Manila, in November last year, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Although the face of the Indonesian national team is different today, similar conditions also occur in the Philippines. The Azkals have now reinforced a number of new breed players grazing in Europe. It was evident during the trip to Vietnam, the Philippines briefly held their opponents to a 2-2 draw before conceding a goal in injury time.

It is these reasons that make Indonesian national winger Ragnar Oratmangoen not want to look lightly at opponents. The figure, who also used to operate as an attacking midfielder, reminded that he and his teammates respect the Philippines. But at the same time, Ragnar expressed optimism that Indonesia would pick up three points, as well as secure a move to the third round.

“Obviously it was a tough match. As I have said before, I have confidence in the ability of this team for this game, that we can win the game,” said the Groningen player, who is on loan to Fortuna Sittard.

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