Indonesian newspaper says ASEAN Cup match schedule favors Vietnam

By Hoang Nguyen December 12, 2024 | 04:33 am PT

Indonesia players celebrate the only goal by Asnawi Mangkualam (no. 14) that helped them defeat Myanmar 1-0 in the opening match of Group B at the ASEAN Cup on Dec. 9, 2024. Photo by Timnas Indonesia

Indonesian newspaper Bola has suggested that Vietnam enjoys a significant advantage ahead of their upcoming match against Indonesia in the 2024 ASEAN Cup, citing the favorable match schedule arranged by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).

Vietnam will host Indonesia on Sunday in the Group B match at Viet Tri Stadium in the country's northern province of Phu Tho.

Bola pointed out that coach Kim Sang-sik’s team has several advantages in the match due to the scheduling of their fixtures.

Vietnam opened their campaign on Monday with a dominant 4-1 win over Laos, with goals from Nguyen Hai Long, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan, and Nguyen Van Vi. In contrast, Indonesia struggled to beat Myanmar 1-0, with the goal by Asnawi Mangkualam in the final minutes.

"After the first round, Vietnam have six days off before facing Indonesia, while coach Shin Tae-yong and the team only get three days of rest after their match against Laos on Dec. 12," Bola noted, highlighting the difference in recovery time of the two teams.

The newspaper also pointed out the challenges that Indonesia faced. After their match against Laos, the team will have to make a long journey to Viet Tri. They are set to travel in three stages: from Solo to Jakarta, then Jakarta to Singapore, followed by Singapore to Hanoi, before traveling by road to Viet Tri.

However, in an effort to save time, the Football Association of Indonesia adjusted the travel schedule, with the team now flying directly from Solo to Bali and then from Bali to Hanoi.

The team is expected to arrive at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, after which they will need at least one and a half hour to travel to Phu Tho. They will have only one training session to get used to Viet Tri Stadium before the match against Vietnam.

The match, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sunday (Hanoi time), will be crucial in the race for the top spot in Group B. Vietnam have recently struggled against Indonesia, losing in all three recent encounters, including two in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and one in the 2023 Asian Cup.