Indonesia Vs Australia

Indonesia will be looking to hand Australia their second defeat in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers as the two nations face off at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium this Tuesday. With both teams entering this match in contrasting forms, the clash promises to be an intriguing one, with Indonesia hoping to capitalize on Australia’s recent surprise setback. This match is significant for both teams as they aim to establish themselves in their respective qualifying group.

After playing just one game, Indonesia finds itself in third place in a tightly contested six-team group. They managed to secure a point from their opening match, placing them in a favorable position as they prepare to host Australia. On the other hand, Australia is currently fifth in the group standings with no points after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bahrain on September 5th. This loss came as a shock to many, given Australia’s reputation as a strong contender in the Asian football scene.

Match Preview

Indonesia, under the leadership of manager Shin Tae-Yong, is coming off a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, a match in which they struggled to maintain possession and spent much of the game on the defensive. Despite their lack of control, having only 34% possession throughout the game, Indonesia showed resilience against a powerful Saudi Arabian side. Saudi Arabia managed to produce 18 shots in total, but only four of those were on target, and they could only create two significant chances during the game.

Indonesia’s defensive performance was commendable, as they restricted Saudi Arabia’s opportunities to capitalize on their possession advantage. On the offensive front, Indonesia managed to generate eight shots of their own, with two of them being on target. However, what may concern Shin Tae-Yong is the fact that his team failed to create any significant goal-scoring opportunities, commonly referred to as "big chances." While a draw against a high-caliber opponent like Saudi Arabia can be viewed as a positive result, there are certainly areas for improvement, particularly in their ability to create clear-cut chances.

Indonesia’s Recent Form

Despite these concerns, Indonesia’s recent form in the AFC World Cup qualifiers has been relatively solid. The draw against Saudi Arabia means that Indonesia has now lost just once in their last six AFC World Cup qualifying matches. During this stretch, they have managed to secure three wins and two draws, a record that highlights their competitiveness in this stage of the competition. Shin Tae-Yong will undoubtedly be hoping that his side can build on this momentum as they prepare to face Australia, a team that will be eager to bounce back from their recent disappointment.

However, one area that could pose a problem for Indonesia is their inconsistent form at home. In their last eight matches played on home soil, Indonesia has only managed two victories, while drawing once and suffering five defeats. This less-than-ideal home record could be a cause for concern, especially as they prepare to host a team of Australia’s caliber. The pressure will be on Indonesia to turn their home form around if they are to have any hope of securing a positive result against the Socceroos.

Australia’s Recent Setback

Australia, on the other hand, comes into this match on the back of a surprising 1-0 defeat to Bahrain, a team ranked 80th in the FIFA rankings, significantly lower than Australia’s position. The Socceroos dominated the match in terms of possession, controlling the ball for 71% of the game. Despite this dominance, Australia struggled to break down Bahrain’s defense, and their failure to capitalize on their control of the game ultimately led to their downfall. Bahrain only managed one shot on target throughout the match, but it was enough to secure a victory, as Australia’s Harry Souttar inadvertently scored an own goal in the 89th minute, handing Bahrain the win.

While Australia’s boss Graham Arnold could argue that his side was hampered by the dismissal of forward Kusini Yengi, who received a red card in the 77th minute, it doesn’t fully excuse their inability to convert their dominance into goals. Playing with 10 men for the final stages of the match certainly made things more difficult for Australia, but their failure to make the most of their earlier chances remains a cause for concern.

Australia’s Form Before the Bahrain Defeat

Prior to their defeat against Bahrain, Australia had been in excellent form. The Socceroos had won their previous four matches in all competitions, scoring an impressive 14 goals while keeping four consecutive clean sheets. This run of form highlighted Australia’s attacking prowess as well as their defensive solidity, both of which had been key to their success leading up to the Bahrain game.

Australia’s overall recent record remains strong despite their setback against Bahrain. In their last 14 matches, Australia has only suffered two defeats, while securing 11 victories and one draw. This impressive run of form reflects the quality and depth within Australia’s squad, which has consistently performed well in recent months. Graham Arnold will be keen to ensure that the loss against Bahrain is nothing more than a temporary blip, and he will be expecting a strong response from his players as they prepare to face Indonesia.

Australia’s Impressive Away Record

One factor that could work in Australia’s favor as they head into this match is their formidable away record. The Socceroos have been particularly strong on the road, having won each of their last five away matches. What’s more, they have managed to keep clean sheets in all five of those games, a testament to their defensive organization and ability to shut out opposing teams when playing away from home.

This run of away victories will undoubtedly give Australia confidence as they prepare to take on Indonesia in Jakarta. Despite their recent defeat, Australia’s ability to perform well away from home could prove to be a crucial factor in this match, especially if they are able to regain the form that saw them dominate their opponents in the months leading up to the Bahrain game.

Key Players to Watch

As the two teams prepare to face off, there will be several key players to keep an eye on. For Indonesia, much of the responsibility will fall on their defense, particularly after their strong showing against Saudi Arabia. Players like Asnawi Mangkualam, who has become a crucial part of Indonesia’s backline, will need to be at their best if they are to keep Australia’s attack at bay. Indonesia will also be relying on their goalkeeper to continue his solid form after making several important saves in their last match.

On the attacking side, Indonesia will be hoping that players like Dendy Sulistyawan and Saddil Ramdani can provide a spark up front. While Indonesia’s attack struggled to create big chances against Saudi Arabia, they will need to be more clinical if they are to take advantage of any opportunities that come their way against Australia.

For Australia, much will depend on how they respond to their defeat against Bahrain. Defensively, Harry Souttar will be looking to put his unfortunate own goal behind him and lead by example at the heart of Australia’s defense. Australia’s midfield will also play a key role, with players like Aaron Mooy and Ajdin Hrustic expected to dictate the tempo and provide the creativity needed to break down Indonesia’s defense.

In attack, Australia will be looking to the likes of Mathew Leckie and Jamie Maclaren to provide the cutting edge. Both players have been in good form for Australia in recent months, and they will need to be clinical if Australia is to secure the win.

Tactical Battle

Tactically, this match could be an intriguing contest. Indonesia will likely adopt a more defensive approach, looking to absorb Australia’s pressure and hit them on the counter-attack. With their home crowd behind them, Indonesia will be hoping to frustrate Australia and make the most of any opportunities that come their way.

Australia, on the other hand, is expected to dominate possession, much like they did against Bahrain. However, they will need to be more effective in the final third if they are to avoid another disappointing result. Graham Arnold may also need to make tactical adjustments depending on how Indonesia sets up defensively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the match between Indonesia and Australia is shaping up to be a crucial encounter for both teams in their AFC World Cup qualifying campaigns. For Indonesia, a positive result at home could significantly boost their chances of progressing, while Australia will be looking to bounce back from their surprise defeat and get their campaign back on track. With both teams having plenty to play for, fans can expect an exciting and hard-fought contest at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.