The Indonesian national team challenges Japan at the wrong time, Germany and Spain pass, Blue Samurai at his best
TRIBUNNEWS.IT – The Japan national team is considered to be at the peak of its performance when playing the 2023 Asian Cup.
This forced the Indonesian national team to face the big risk of losing or even being eliminated first in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup.
It could be said that the Garuda team met Japan at the wrong time, because Kaoru Mitoma and his friends were in their prime.
Read also: Underestimated the quality of the Indonesian Under 22 national team, on the Vietnamese field: their level is low
Read also: Projection of progress of Indonesia national team in the death bracket of the Asian Cup 2023: Garuda’s 3 most avoided opponents
The AFC has “handed out” the cruelest draw for the Indonesian national team, seen from the material of Group D for the 2023 Asian Cup.
The Indonesian national team is placed in Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup, namely Japan (best team from Asia), Iraq (top team from pot 2) and Vietnam (most avoided team from pot 3).
Particularly for Japan, Hajime Moriyasu’s team can be considered at the highest point in its history.
Read also: Indonesia national team stuck in death row for 2023 Asian Cup, Shin Tae-yong sees bright side
Judging by the look of the FIFA rankings, Japan is currently ranked 20th, making them the best team in Asia.
This position is very far from their highest record (ranked 9th), but in terms of performance, Japan is at the top.
The “best” indicators for Japan can be very subjective, but recent results from Japanese players and teams can confirm this statement.
At the 2022 World Cup, Japan became a surprise team that was able to beat two former world champions, Germany and Spain in the group stage.
Read also: Indonesia national team schedule at Asian Cup 2023: Scenario for Garuda stealing points in final match against Japan
Japan even topped Group E of the 2022 World Cup with six points, ahead of Spain and eliminating Germany and Costa Rica.
The Samurai team lost against Croatia, the team that advanced to the semi-finals, only after a penalty shootout (probably Croatia’s strongest stage).
In the defender position, Maya Yoshida has experience in the Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga, and was recently joined by Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Quoted From Many Source
