In a matter of a few days Indonesia's national team will compete in the arena of the Asian Games 2018. Indonesia's men's national football team has a pretty good chance to qualify from the group stage at the 2018 Asian Games. Indonesia joined Group A with Hogkong, Laos and China Taipe and Palestine.

If you look at the group draw results, this is certainly good enough for the Indonesian national team that has done a good preparation, and Garuda Squad can be placed as the first seed in Group A before joining Palestine.

But, after the Palestinian national team joined in Group A. It could be a problem for the Indonesian national team and potentially bury Indonesian national team's mission to advance to the semifinals. Just look at the 5-1 victory over Thailand in the U-23 Asia Cup 2018 which asserts that Palestine is a strong team and should not be underestimated.

In the event, the Palestinians escaped from the first round as the runner-up group B. Of the three games, they only once lost when meeting with Japan. And, managed to balance North Korea with the score 1-1.

The Deadly Palestinian Wing

Palestine is not a team that relies on an aerial ball to score, but a team that utilizes a slick wing to push into the penalty box.

As the first evidence, just look at the action on the right and left side of Palestine is greater than the action in the middle lane. Palestinian activity on both sides, disitat AFC official website, reached 71.3%. That number is enough to conclude that the Palestinians make two wings as a source of attack.

Further evidence can be observed from the distribution flow. Upon entering the opponent's game, the Palestinian player immediately directs forward. After being in the final third, the ball directly offered winger who has square off on the edge of the field.

The joining of Palestine in Group A is clearly detrimental to the Indonesian national team. In addition to making the number of troops corresponding to the increase of Luis Milla's troops, Palestine could potentially overthrow the Indonesian National Team. Given, a series of positive sides of Palestine could be a disaster for Hansamu Yama Pranata and his colleagues.

Hong Kong is also the strongest opponent of Garuda Muda in this tournament. Berstatus was ranked 11th in the 2014 Asian Games with only one defeat, Hong Kong being the most potentially problematic team for Indonesia.

Hong Kong's track record shows it. Their achievements have increased since the 2002 Asian Games. In South Korea that year and in Qatar four years later, Hong Kong has always been marginalized in the group phase. But in the 2010 edition of China and South Korea 2014, Hong Kong has always managed to qualify for the knockout phase.

Remarkably again, Hong Kong's gait in the last two editions of the Asian Games was only one defeat, and even then in the autumn phase. That is, Hong Kong really untouched the defeat in the Asian Games group stage of 2010 and 2014. In fact, in the Hong Kong group joined the Central Asian team whose posture is superior.

United Arab Emirates (1-1), Uzbekistan (win 1-0) and Bangladesh (4-0 win), against Hong Kong at the Asian Games 2010 group. Meanwhile in the Asian Games 2014, Hong Kong drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan, then won 2-1 against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

In terms of player problems, Hong Kong is likely to bring a lot of young penggawa from big clubs in the domestic league. In the last test match, Pegasus FC (3 seasons 2017/2018) contributed five players, while Kitchee SC (Hong Kong League champions 2017/2018) contributed four players.

For older players, it is possible that Hong Kong brought three senior players over the age of 30. They are Fernando Recio (defender, 35), Lam Ka Wai (midfielder, 33 years), and Jordi Tarrés (attacker, 37) .

The advantage for the Indonesian national team is, the three players who have aged above already in old age. With our players famous for their speed, it can be a valuable capital to customize their playing experience.

Our predictions about Indonesia will be against Hong Kong. Maybe also can win, but with a thin score plus Luis Milla squad record should be more clinical again in front of the opponent's goal.

What about Laos and Chinese Taipei?

Two other Indonesian national team opponents in Group A are Laos and China Taipei. On paper, both teams are not opponents that are comparable to Garuda Muda, and teams must be able to achieve a total of 6 points from both.

Lao who is a Pot3 dweller, has always been an easy prey for Indonesia. Even their record at the Asian Games is also very bad. In the last five editions, this is the second time they participated. Plus in South Korea four years ago, Laos achieved very bad results. Shattered in the group stage, without scoring goals and nine conceding a ball. As a fellow South East Asian country.

Indonesia national team must have understood the style of playing Laos. Although for Laos also apply the same thing, but with better player material, Indonesia has a great chance to beat Laos. Our prediction, Garuda Young can conquer Laos with a margin of at least two goals.

Then for China Taipei, the country also known as Taiwan was the envoy of Pot 4 in Group A. They had won the Asian Games in 1954 and 1958, but after that his performance dropped dramatically. China Taipei was unable to participate in the Asian Games from 1970 to 2014 because they did not have an adequate junior national team, and this year was their first participation in the Asian Games since the dark days.

Regarding the game experience, China Taipei is definitely worse than Indonesia. But the vibrancy of Taipei Love young people to give the best for the country in the first participation for almost half a century, can be quite difficult for Garuda Young if not good at taking advantage of opportunities.

Our prediction, Indonesia's victory over China Taipei will depend on the results of the first half. If in the first 45 minutes can win by a margin of at least two goals, Febri Hariyadi and colleagues can end the game with a difference of three goals or more.

Indonesian national team graduation prediction

Although the status of the host, but to win the group will be difficult for the Indonesian national team. In addition to the existence of Palestine and Hong Kong, Luis Milla squad is also still problematic in the final settlement. Escaping from group phase is still very possible, but, in my opinion only runner-up status.

Men's soccer matches will be held at four stadiums, namely Bekasi Patriot Stadium for groups A and B, Pakansari Cibinong Stadium for group C, and Mukti Group D Steady stadium. Group E and F matches will be held at Bandung Stadium Harupat Jalak. For the Semifinal and Final Parties will be held at Pakansari Stadium.