Vietnam Retains 20-Year Unbeaten Home Record Against Indonesia Ahead of Key World Cup Qualifier

Ongoing preparations are in place as Vietnam is set to host Indonesia for the second leg of their 2026 World Cup qualifier at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, a venue where Indonesia last tasted victory in 2004 during the AFF Cup's group stages. Indonesia has visited the Hanoi-based stadium six times following their lone victory, managing only four draws and suffering two losses.

Adding to Indonesia's daunting task is their fresh memory of a 0-2 defeat at this very ground in the 2022 AFF Cup semi-finals. Midfielder Marselino Ferdinan emphasized the team's cognizance of the challenges of playing in Hanoi.

Despite their records, Indonesia, however, held the upper hand in the last two encounters, having beaten Vietnam 1-0 at the 2023 Asian Cup's group stages in January and replicated the scoreline during the first leg of their World Cup qualifiers last Thursday. Securing another victory will put them in a comfortable position to advance to the World Cup's third qualifiers for the first time.

Anticipation mounts as Indonesia get set to welcome key players, notably captain and center-back Asnawi Mangkualam, along with naturalized players Thom Haye and striker Ragnar Oratmagoen. Boosting confidence is the recent noteworthy performance by Jay Idzes of the Italian Serie B club Venezia. Nonetheless, even with the return of these players, PSSI President Erick Thohir and Coach Shin Tae-yong have both urged the team to stay focused, disciplined, humble, and extra vigilant in the upcoming crucial match.