REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Football watcher Kesit Budi Handoyo expects Indonesia to win when they travel to China's headquarters at Qingdao Youth Football Stadium on Tuesday (15/10/2024) at 19:00pm. This was disclosed by Kesit when contacted by Republika.co.id, Monday (14/10/2024).
On a head to head basis, data from the RSSSF shows Indonesia inferior to China with only one win from 17 meetings. Yet this time the story is different. Shin Tae-yong's team has a great chance to get its first victory in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier in the Asian Zone.
China are currently stranded at the bottom of the Group C standings or sixth place. Branko Ivankovic's side have not scored a single point, having lost three times in the three matches they have played. China silenced Japan 0-7, defeated Saudi Arabia 1-2, and routed Australia 1-3.
While Garuda's squad has not been unbeaten from three matches, collecting scores of three and is one level above China in the standings of Group C. The two opponents that defeated China were held to a draw by the Garuda squad. Indonesia drew 1-1 against Saudi Arabia, 0-0 against Australia, and 2-2 versus Bahrain.
“The chances of the Chinese opponent to win are greater. Right now, China is in disarray. Hopefully this momentum can be used by Indonesia to achieve its first victory. The chances are very big to get three points,” Kesit said.
Kesit highlighted the calm and focus of the Indonesian national team's game that must be maintained until the game is over. This is so that the event of victory in front of the yawning eyes when against Bahrain is unrepeatable.
Kesit judged building chemistry on the defensive line was crucial. The inclusion of Mees Hilgers makes Indonesia's defence built with Jay Idzes and Jordi Amat pretty good.
“There are only a few details that are still being fixed. Maybe it's because Hilgers just made his debut,” he revealed.
Kesit welcomed the presence of Malik Risaldi who as Bahrain's opponent was given the confidence Shin Tae-yong played from the start of the match. “With Malik Risaldi our attacking line is more varied. Malik can be relied upon to disrupt the opposing defensive line. His mobility is quite good, moving left right and center. It's important to undermine the concentration of the opponent's defense,” Kesit said.
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