Identify the host opponent Indonesia

InAFF Cup 2022, Mr. Shin Tae-yong prefers the classic 4-4-2 tactical formation with 2 midfielders R. Kambuaya (15) and M. Klok (23). The 29-year-old midfielder of Dutch origin is the "sweeper" of the home team thanks to his good physique, physical strength and quite modern tactical thinking. Having played 6 seasons in Indonesia, he understands his teammates quite well. The home team also has Irianto (13) who can also be put on the field to play in this position instead of R. Kambuaya. In the match against Thailand, the midfielder pair M. Klok and Irianto played with all their might, making the "War Elephants" discouraged.

Saddil Ramdani - Dangerous Player

In addition, winger Saddil Ramdani (7) is a player that the Vietnamese team needs to keep an eye on and stop in the upcoming match. Ramdani had two very impressive performances in the two matches against Brunei and the Philippines, contributing to the team of the archipelago getting a ticket to the semi-finals.

Physical strength is the strong point of the home team Indonesia. Photo: Khel Now

Saddil's most valuable advantage is his ability to drop deep and carry the ball, creating breakthroughs for the home team right from the ball development stage from the back line. Whether on the left or right wing, we often see Ramdani drop very deep and receive the ball from the defenders. The player born in 1999 always assesses the situation and comes up with suitable solutions to help the home team quickly approach the opponent's goal. The most frightening point of number 7 when dropping deep is the ability to make quick, accurate decisions in narrow spaces, accompanied by sharp long passes pouring straight into the final third of the opponent's field, a style of play similar to Quang Hai of the Vietnam team.

Operational weaknesses

The Indonesian team always chooses to defend with the classic 4-4-2 formation that Korean teams often use. This formation allows players to move easily without the ball because the operating principle is quite simple. However, with the current level, Indonesia has revealed some weaknesses in the match against Thailand. The formation of the archipelago team has been shifted many times and revealed gaps when Thailand accelerated and could be exploited. The cause of this problem probably comes from the midfielders' ability to judge situations.

Saddil Ramdani (7) and the home team's dangerous player. Photo: Khel Now

In the current 4-4-2 formation, if Mr. Shin's central midfield duo hesitates, Hung Dung and Quang Hai can exploit. This is especially harmful when facing the Vietnamese team. Mr. Park has strikers who like to drop deep, play wide to attract opponents to open up space for teammates.

In addition, midfielders E. Maulana (10) or Y. Sayuri (2) of the Indonesian team often chase the ball passively, or react slowly to the opponent's moves down the sideline. The fact that the players of the second line of defense of Indonesia are always chasing the ball, being drawn too deep into the field will open up a huge space in front of the penalty area for the opponent's crossers. This will be an opportunity for midfielders like Van Hau and Tan Tai to show their talent for "catching" the ball. Van Hau will have the opportunity to face the 22-year-old young talent E. Maulana of Indonesian football, a player who is only 1.68m tall but plays very fast, but his weakness is his ability to support the defense.

Host Indonesia is making things difficult for us from immigration procedures to sudden changes in match times, to the point that Mr. Park had to cut short his press conference. But if we can grasp the opponent's weaknesses, we will get points and return to My Dinh Stadium to decide the match./.

An Thanh