With a fight against the water, Indonesia has no way out

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The reporter reported coldly In addition to the match between China and Japan, Chinese fans are also paying attention to the other two matches in Group C, with Bahrain and Indonesia, which have fewer points than the national football team, both continuing to play at home, against Australia and Saudi Arabia respectively. In contrast, Indonesia's match with Saudi Arabia has attracted more attention. Not only because this game is likely to change the pattern of qualifying for Group C, but also because Saudi Arabia is the first opponent of the national football team in March next year, and the performance of the newly changed coach Saudi Arabia against Indonesia, which is closer to the national football team, and the tactical changes of coach Hainach are worth paying attention to.

In the first leg, Saudi Arabia was coached by Mancini, and was forced to draw by Indonesia at home, losing 2 points. However, Saudi Arabia won all four times against Southeast Asian teams during Hainach's last tenure (July 2019 to March 2023), including double defeats of Singapore and Vietnam in the 2022 World Preliminary Tournament, giving them a psychological advantage over Southeast Asian teams.

However, Saudi Arabian midfielder Al-Faraj suffered a serious cruciate ligament rupture injury before the game against Australia and missed the game. But he did not choose to return to China for surgery, but continued to travel to Indonesia with the team, hoping to continue to support his teammates psychologically, and took the three points from Jakarta to victory. In addition, Jeddah United's defender Shankti also strained his thigh during training in Jakarta and it is still unknown whether he will be able to compete.

Compared with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, which has just experienced a four-goal defeat, has reached the point of fighting with its back. Although the president of the Indonesian Football Association, Tohir, said that Indonesia has three home advantages to take advantage of in the second half of the round of 18, but the opponent Saudi Arabia is a strong team after all, if this home team cannot be won, they are likely to be left out by the second echelon, and the probability of qualifying will be greatly reduced. Tohir called on Indonesian fans to continue to sit at the Jakarta Stadium in support of the national team, but he also acknowledged that the difficulties facing Indonesia are very high, after Saudi Arabia won three consecutive games in Indonesia.

In the match against Japan, Indonesian coach Shin Tai Long removed naturalized wingback Reinders Jr. from the squad, which caused widespread doubts after the game. Tohir said he would not interfere in the selection of the head coach and maintain the authority of Shin Tailong. Against Saudi Arabia, the return of naturalized defender Yanna after the expiration of his suspension will strengthen the team's defensive ability in the midfield. In addition, newly naturalized Copenhagen defender Dix is injured and is expected to be replaced by Walsh, who came on for the game against Japan. On the offensive end, Shen Tailong can only pin his hopes on Olamangunn, who missed a single chance in the first game against Japan, and Stryker, who is almost invisible.

Appealing to Indonesian players and fans not to be discouraged, Tohir said that striker Romeni, who watched the match live, was equally confident that the naturalisation would continue, and after the game, he shared a photo of himself and Romeni on social media, and both looked happy.

The 24-year-old plays as a striker for Utrecht in the Eredivisie. If there are no surprises, Romemeni will be able to play for Indonesia in March next year, and Shin Tai Long has asked for more naturalized attackers to play a do-or-die match against Bahrain and the national football team at home next year.

In addition, Tohir has just introduced two naturalized players to the Indonesian U20 national youth, namely the 19-year-old left-back Heppens of the Eredivisie and the 19-year-old central defender of Nijmegen Max, which can be regarded as a reserve for the Indonesian national team to reserve future defensive talents.