Its latest defeat at the SEA Games confirmed Vietnam as a new enigma to Indonesia in regional football.
By
MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR
·4 minutes read
ANTARA/ADITYA PRADANA PUTRA
Indonesian national team footballer Witan Sulaeman (left) fights for the ball with Vietnamese footballer Anh Bui Hoang Viet (right) in the inaugural match of Group A Soccer 2021 SEA Games at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho, Vietnam, Friday (6/5/2022) . Indonesia lost with a score of 0-3..
VIET TRI, FRIDAY — Nearly 20,000 Vietnamese who packed the Viet Tri soccer stadium on Friday in Viet Tri, Phu Tho P]province, to watch the Group A opening soccer match of the 2021 SEA Games, went home with beaming faces after the national team beat Indonesia 3-0.
The Vietnamese supporters, most of who wore red T-shirts, chanted “Vietnam! Vietnam!" for 90 minutes. The rain that fell throughout the match did not dampen their enthusiasm.
In appreciation, the Vietnamese soccer team, called the Golden Star Warriors, led by captain Do Hung Dung, circled the field greeting supporters.
“From the start, we wanted to make the fans who have supported us happy. After the first match, we will face the other team high spirits as defending champions," said Vietnam National Team coach Park Hang-seo as quoted by the Hanoi Times.
Park knew the right strategy to defeat Indonesia, which was under the guidance of his South Korean compatriot, Shin Tae-yong. Vietnam’s victory in the first match of the 2021 SEA Games added to the long list of matches the Indonesian team has lost to Vietnam.
Indonesia lost to Vietnam 0-4 at the 2022 World Cup Qualification group stage in June 2021, the first match it played under coach Shin. Meanwhile, Indonesia tied Vietnam 0-0 at the 2020 AFF Cup qualifier in December 2021.
However, its latest defeat at the SEA Games confirmed Vietnam as a new enigma to Indonesia in regional football. The 0-3 loss was identical to the defeat Indonesia experienced against Vietnam at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games final. Indonesia has lost seven matches to Vietnam out of 14 total meetings at the SEA Games. The "Young Garuda" has won only five matches against Vietnam, with the other two matches ending in draws.
ANTARA/ADITYA PRADANA PUTRA
Indonesian national team defender Ilham Rio Fahmi (right) lies with his face covering his face after losing against the Vietnam national team in the inaugural match of Group A of the 2021 SEA Games Football at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho, Vietnam, Friday (6/5/2022). Indonesia lost with a score of 0-3.
Shin did not seem too concerned about his team's chances of advancing to the semifinals, despite losing the opening match. He attributed the loss partly to Vietnam playing on home turf and the poor condition of the field, which had affected the Indonesian team's performance during its opening first match.
"We are disappointed with the result, but losing the first game does not mean we have lost the tournament. I am optimistic that we will get better and can get the best results,” said Shin.
Disastrous change in tactics
Shin's shift in tactics at the beginning of the second half, replacing defensive midfielder Rahmat Irianto with Syahrian Abhimanyu, set the team on course to disaster.
Rahmat's absence created a hole between the Indonesian team’s fullbacks and midfielders.
Marc Klok failed to take over Rahmat's role as protector of the center-back duo of Fachruddin Aryanto and Rizky Ridho.
As a result, Vietnam was able to score three goals in the second half. Vietnam also recorded a significant increase in attempts in the second 45 minutes.
In the first half, Vietnam only made seven shots, scoring three. After the break, however, it made 11 shots, six of which were at the Indonesian goal, which was guarded by Muhammad Ady Satryo.
I believe in my players' abilities. We have Asnawi Mangkualam coming tomorrow [Saturday] which will enrich [our] tactical options.
The change in tactics for the second half also left Indonesia's attack line stagnant. “Young Garuda” created four opportunities in the first 45 minutes, but only one chance in the second half.
The Vietnamese fans began celebrating when striker Nguyen Tien Linh scored the first goal in the 54th minute. Vietnam captain Do Hung Dung added another goal in the 74th minute. Vietnam's goal party continued when Indonesian captain Fachruddin failed to block Do Le Van's shot in the 87th minute.
Meanwhile, Indonesia only made one attempt at goal. Witan Sulaeman created the opportunity with a shot from outside the penalty box in the 86th minute.
"I believe in my players' abilities. We have Asnawi Mangkualam coming tomorrow [Saturday] which will enrich [our] tactical options," said Shin.
In the other Group A match, the Philippines defeated Timor Leste 4-0. Young Garuda is up next against Timor Leste on Tuesday (10/5/2022).
