Indonesia Considers Best Formation to Upset Thailand in AFF Cup Final

Manahati Lestusen (R) scored the crucial second goal for Indonesia in 2-2 draw in Hanoi ..

Bogor, 12 Rabi’ul Awwal 1438/12 December 2016 (MINA) – Indonesia head coach Alfred Riedl could stick with his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation against Thailand for the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup final, espnfc.com  reported..

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The two-legged affair will see the Indonesians play host at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor on Wednesday before the return leg in Bangkok on Saturday.

The Austrian tinkered with his usual 4-4-2 strategy for the second leg of their semifinal against Vietnam, and it paid off to great effect. The Merah Putih held their opponents to a 2-2 draw in Hanoi on Wednesday to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Fachrudin Aryanto and Hansamu Pranata formed the heart of defence, with Abduh Lestaluhu and Beny Wahyudi manning the full-back positions.

The most glaring change in this strategy was the two screeners in front of the back four, marshalled by Bayu Pradana and Manahati Lestunen.

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“We will prepare for the game with these two formations. But we could also use the 5-4-1, depending on the situation. It’s good to have a few options for us to prepare for this final,” Riedl told detikSport.

The ex-Vietnam boss could resort to the ultra-defensive 5-4-1 if Thailand turn up the pressure, with Lestunen dropping back to operate as a third centre-back.

Indonesia have already lost once to the War Elephants in this tournament, beaten in a wild, opening Group A game.

In that 4-2 defeat, Riedl went with a 4-4-1-1 formation, and scored twice through Boaz Solossa and Lerby Eliandry.

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Those two goals are the only ones Thailand have conceded in the tournament so far.

Kiatisuk Senamuang’s side went on to beat Singapore and Philippines 1-0 in their remaining Group A games to complete a perfect record.

They turned on the style in the semifinals, thrashing Myanmar 6-0 on aggregate, to set up the showdown against Indonesia.

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Indonesia have never won AFF Cup

The football-crazy nation, which saw its year-long FIFA ban lifted in May, would need a massive change in fortunes ahead of this dual fixture final.

Indonesia have yet to win the regional showcase, despite making the final four times.

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After suffering back-to-back defeats to Thailand in 2000 and 2002, Singapore went on to beat them in the final of the 2004 edition.

Malaysia then got the better of them in 2010 to win their maiden title.

Indonesia will make the daunting trip to the Rajamangala Stadium on Dec. 17 for the second leg. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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