Asean Cup 2026: Indonesia prepares ways to 'cope with' the Vietnam national team

Vietnam will be Indonesia's most difficult rival in Group A of the 2026 AFF Cup, which runs from July 24 to August 26.

Besides being known for their strength, the team nicknamed the Golden Star Warriors is also very skilled at stirring emotions, causing opponents to lose their composure.

According to Indonesian media assessments, along with Malaysia and Thailand, the Vietnam national team is truly one of Indonesia's biggest rivals in Southeast Asia.

The Indonesian team will play at home when they host Vietnam at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor Regency on August 3, 2026.

"If we look at the balance of power, the opponent in the group that we must definitely be wary of and carefully calculate is Vietnam," said Mr. Sumardji, Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN) under PSSI, during a discussion program on PSSI Pers' Water Break.

In recent AFF Cup editions, Indonesia's record against Vietnam has been poor. The Indonesian team has lost in the last two encounters.

"We know how Vietnam provokes us, weakening the team both physically and mentally. Physique may be fine, but mentally we become weak. Why?" Mr. Sumardji said.

"I judge this way because I have accompanied the team in these Southeast Asian tournaments. I understand it too well. So I know how they do it," he explained.

Indonesia lost 0-1 to Vietnam in the group stage of the 2024 AFF Cup. In the 2022 semi-finals, Indonesia suffered a 0-2 defeat against the Golden Star Warriors.

"But this time, I constantly communicate with the coaching staff, and I will provide input to minimize what Vietnam still uses to weaken our morale. We must face that and have a stronger spirit," Mr. Sumardji said.

"That is very important. Truly important. Why? For a long time we have always lost mentally, and this has been proven," he added.

Apart from Vietnam, Indonesia will face Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.

"Second, regarding the balance of power, we certainly cannot underestimate Cambodia either. We know that Cambodia is gradually improving and getting better compared to previous years.

Therefore, just based on the balance of power in this group, we must really prepare as best as possible. What do we need to prepare?

First, the coordination between the Chairman of the National Team Agency and the head coach, and between the National Team Agency and the coaching staff, must be truly clear.

One specific manifestation is that player preparation and call-ups must be accurate and involve the right people."