Both sides had poor results from the first round of 2018 AFF Cup Group B matches, making their upcoming clash at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium a crucial encounter. This is especially true for Indonesia, as the 2016 the runner-up suffered a shock defeat, narrowly losing 1-0 to Singapore. East Timor have already shown their fragility in front of teams with a better quality and attacking style, like Thailand and Indonesia. Can the visitors pick up their first three points ever in AFF Cup history, or will it be back to business as usual for the hosts?
Indonesia
Strengths – Back At Home
Indonesia will play their first home game in 2018 AFF Cup against the weakest Team in Group B. The Garuda will be hoping that the intimidating atmosphere at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium will help them get their campaign back on track with a win.
Weaknesses – No Plan B
Coach Bima Sakti often lacks a “Plan B” with his side, relying mostly on the tactics and squad selected by his predecessor, Luis Milla. The coach’s refusal to depart from Milla’s setup may cost him.
Player to Watch – Beto Goncalves
This is the right time for 37-years-old striker Beto Goncalves to prove himself as the best striker in Indonesia right now. After how well striker Adisak Kraisorn did for Thailand in the last game against East Timor, Beto will be hoping to put in a similar performance to help him truly announce himself as a star for his adoptive nation.
Timor-Leste
Strengths – Mystery and Surprise
In my opinion, Timor-Leste, also with Brunei Darussalam, are the hardest nations to scout among the SEA countries. The side are also young and have many new faces, meaning that they come into this tournament as an unknown quantity, which could be to their advantage.
Weaknesses – Lack of Confidence
Unlike Indonesia, Timor-Leste unfortunately can’t play any home games at the 2018 AFF Cup. After defeat 0-7 in the planned “home” game against Thailand, which was played in Bangkok at the Rajamangala stadium, the side are low on confidence. Coach Norio Tsukitake may rethink his strategy, choosing to play ultra-defensive setup as opposed to the open game they attempted to play against Thailand.
Player to Watch – Henrique Cruz
Timor-Leste have plenty young players in their current squad. One of them is 20-years-old striker Henrique Cruz, who plays for Boavista Timor in the domestic top flight. He has been a member of the senior national team since he was 17, and he has already scored three goals from his 19 appearances with O Sol Nascente. With his partner Rufino Gama, Henrique has become something of a hero for the national team.
Prediction:
A simple answer about the winner of this match should be based on the individual quality and international experience. Given these factors, Indonesia really should win against Timor-Leste. Even Bima Sakti, on his pre-match conference, didn’t give any goals target to his player, but given the gulf in class, the Indonesian players will be looking to score as much as they can in order to revive their spirits before heading to Thailand to play a rematch of the 2016 AFF Cup final.
Steven Danis
Football Tribe Indonesia