'To reach the ASIAD semi-finals, Indonesia should learn the spirit of U23 Vietnam'

Participating in ASIAD 2018 as host, the Indonesian Olympic team has been heavily invested since the beginning of 2018 with the goal of reaching the men's football semi-finals. On the newspaperFox SportsIn the Asian version, author John Duerden wrote an article titled “Indonesia needs to enter the ASIAD with inspiration from Vietnam”.

The famous British writer believes that the “island country” should learn the fighting spirit of U23 Vietnam at the 2018 U23 Asian Cup finals. Because that is a “destructive” weapon that can help coach Luis Milla and his team bring joy to the country’s football fans.

“Vietnam did just that at the AFC U-23 Championship in January. The team arrived in China with low expectations but made it all the way to the final. In the process, the players brought fans onto the streets to celebrate their new national heroes,” wrote John Duerden.

Although not focusing on winning medals, Indonesian people are looking forward to the country's Olympic team going far in the 2018 ASIAD. This is a big task for Indonesian football, not only bringing joy to fans but also a stepping stone for the development of Indonesian football, since FIFA lifted the ban.

“Indonesia has a larger population than Vietnam, but it is not easy for them to repeat the feat of U23 Vietnam. The football passion of this country with the fourth largest population in the world is much greater than that of other populous countries such as China, India and the US, but they have not been noticed. Indonesian football needs a title, something they have been starved of for a long time,” said John Duerden.

The results of the additional draw for men's football at the 18th Asian Games, which took place on the afternoon of July 25, have affected the group of the Indonesian Olympic team. In addition to Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Laos, coach Luis Milla and his team will also welcome a new opponent, Palestine. The host country will have its opening match against Chinese Taipei on August 12. Then they will face Palestine (August 14), Laos (August 16) and Hong Kong (August 20).

While many teams have yet to start preparing for the 18th ASIAD, the Indonesian Olympic team has organized the PSSI Anniversary Cup 2018 with strong opponents such as Uzbekistan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Recently, Coach Luis Milla announced the preliminary list of 24 players to train in Bali before the biggest sports festival in the continent. After the friendly match with Timor Leste on August 11, Coach Milla will officially finalize the list of 20 players of the Indonesian Olympic team to participate in the 2018 ASIAD.

Four years ago in Incheon, the Indonesian Olympic team also passed the group stage of the ASIAD before losing 1-4 to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the round of 16. And that was also the best result of this country's team at the Asian Games.