TRIBUN-VIDEO.COM – The following is an analysis of the strengths of Group D for the 2023 Asian Cup which will be inhabited by Japan, Iraq, Vietnam and Indonesia. The four countries are confirmed to be in the same group after going through the drawing stage, Thursday (11/5/2023) yesterday. On paper, Japan is the main candidate to pass through Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup smoothly. This is due to Japan’s status as one of the most advanced football countries in the Asian region. In fact, Japan can still be said to be the ultimate king of the Asian Cup with a collection of four trophies. With these four trophies, Japan still has the right to hold the status of the most successful country in the history of the Asian Cup. Japan’s status as the world’s twentieth best country on the FIFA rankings is also another reason. Plus, Japan has a strength that cannot be underestimated in the eyes of world football. The presence of players such as Kauro Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada, Wataru Endo, and Hiroki Ito have made Japan truly superior. Obviously, Japan will be the toughest opponent for any participant in the 2023 Asian Cup, including Indonesia, which is in the same group. Then, Iraq is the second best force in Group D for the 2023 Asian Cup. Based on the FIFA rankings, Iraq is currently in 67th place, far above Vietnam and Indonesia. In the history of the Asian Cup, Iraq has also won the tournament at least once. Interestingly, Iraq’s winning moment occurred when Indonesia co-hosted the 2007 Asian Cup. With the quality of football that Iraq has, it is undeniable that the country from the Middle East will be a difficult opponent for Garuda. Physical advantage is one of the strengths that the Indonesian National Team should anticipate when they meet Iraq. One of Iraq’s mainstay players to watch out for is Zidane Iqbal who is currently playing with Manchester United. The third opponent that Indonesia is facing is none other than Vietnam, which so far has the status of a regional rival in Southeast Asia. Even though they come from the same region, the rapid development of Vietnamese football has really made the country’s football level not to be underestimated. Vietnam’s success in penetrating FIFA’s top 100 ranking in a short time is proof of this. In fact, Vietnam’s passage to the third round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup is another proof of the country’s rapid development in football. Plus, Indonesia under Shin Tae-yong has not been able to even beat Indonesia in any competition. This is certainly a challenge for the Indonesian national team to be able to beat Vietnam in an event like the 2023 Asian Cup. In the midst of Shin Tae-yong’s struggle to build Indonesian football, the 2023 Asian Cup will certainly be his biggest test while coaching Garuda. Facing tough matches against teams like Japan, Iraq to Vietnam. Shin Tae-yong certainly needs to work even harder so that the Indonesian National Team can talk a lot when they meet these opponents. The naturalization project that Shin Tae-yong has relied on so far is automatically at stake in the event every four years. Obviously, the 2023 Asian Cup will be an important event for Shin Tae-yong and the Indonesian National Team to find their identity to compete in Asian regional football. Asian Cup 2023 drawing results: Group A Qatar China Tajikistan Lebanon Group B Australia Uzbekistan Syria India Group C Iran United Arab Emirates Hong Kong Palestine Group D Japan Indonesia Iraq Vietnam Group E South Korea Malaysia Jordania Bahrain Group F Saudi Arabia Thailand Kyrgyzstan Omar (Tribunnews. com/Dwi Setiawan). Video Production: Tri Susilo Mardhani
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