The Indonesian national team will compete against Japan on the last matchday of the 2023 Asian Cup Group D preliminary round. The Indonesia vs Japan national team match in the 2023 Asian Cup schedule will take place at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday (24/1/2/204).
Pratama Arhan’s presence is a plus point for the Indonesian national team. Because the Blora-born defender has experience playing at the Japanese club, Tokyo Verdy. Pratama Arhan was recruited by Tokyo Verdy from PSIS Semarang in 2022. However, he only played four matches at Tokyo Verdy.
Most recently, Pratama Arhan decided to join the South Korean first division club, Suwon FC, in 2024. Shin Tae-yong explained that Pratama Arhan did not provide any information about Japan’s strength even though he had a football career in the country.
The reason is, according to Shin Tae-yong, he is the person who knows the most about the Japanese game in the Indonesian national team. “Arhan didn’t say anything,” said Shin Tae-yong in a press conference session ahead of the Indonesia vs Japan national team duel on Tuesday (23/1/2024). “To be honest, I know more about Japanese football than anyone else. Arhan didn’t say anything,” he said.
Shin Tae-yong then explained that he had a lot of experience competing against the Japanese national team, both as a head coach and player. Even so, the coach from South Korea realized that Japan’s strength was better than the Indonesian national team. If you look at the FIFA rankings, the Indonesian national team is far behind Japan. Indonesia is in 146th position, while Japan is ranked 17th.
“Yes, I have a lot of experience playing against Japan as a player and coach,” said the former South Korean national team coach. “Obviously, Indonesia is weaker than Japan, but I want to give my best with my players in order to achieve good results,” he said.
As is known, this match will be a life and death match for both teams. Both Japan and Indonesia got three points from one win and one loss. Japan is above Indonesia because of superior goal difference alone.
