Ahead of the upcoming 2026 AFF Cup scheduled for July 24 to August 26, the Indonesian National Team is paying extra attention to Vietnam's strength. Drawn into Group A alongside Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Singapore, the Garuda squad realizes that Vietnam is their toughest rival and must be carefully prepared for.
This vigilance was triggered by the maneuvers of Vietnam's head coach, Kim Sang Sik, who was observed scouting the performance of John Herdman's squad in person during the previous FIFA Matchday agenda. Young Indonesian midfielder Rayhan Hannan acknowledged that Vietnam has grown rapidly and that this scouting strategy serves as a warning signal his team must be wary of.
Historical records show that Indonesia has not been able to secure a win against Vietnam in the AFF Cup since the first leg of the 2016 semifinals. In several meetings following that moment, Indonesia has often been held to a draw or suffered defeats, including a 0-1 loss in the 2024 edition. This negative trend serves as motivation for the players to turn the tide.
Indonesian National Team goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi affirmed his determination to end Vietnam's dominance this year. He emphasized the importance of extra hard work and an ironclad mentality, given that Vietnam is known for an aggressive and provocative playstyle on the pitch.
Responding to this, the Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN), Sumardji, stated that the coaching staff has thoroughly mapped out the rival's playstyle. They are currently focusing on building the players' mentality so they do not fall for opponent strategies easily. The crucial match between Indonesia and Vietnam in the Group A stage is scheduled for Friday, August 3, 2026.
