RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's men’s field hockey team is preparing a tailored strategy to face Sri Lanka in the semifinals of the Asian Games 2026 Qualifiers, set to be played at the Royal Thai Air Force Hockey Field in Bangkok on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Head coach Dharma Raj explained that the coaching staff has studied Sri Lanka’s style of play, noting their impressive run as Pool B winners without a single defeat.

“We have analyzed Sri Lanka’s game. Their style is not much different from what we saw in the 2022 qualifiers, and our players already understand their patterns,” Dharma Raj said in an official statement on Wednesday, April 8, as quoted by Antara.

Team captain Aulia Akbar Al Ardh confirmed that the squad is in good condition after recovery sessions and tactical drills. “Today we focused on refining our strategy and evaluating our previous matches. The players are physically fitter after rest and ready for this crucial game,” he said.

Indonesia enters the semifinal with strong motivation to reach the final and secure qualification for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Akbar emphasized that the team wants to surpass its achievement from the 2022 qualifiers, when Indonesia reached the semifinals, finished third, and earned a place at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

“Our initial target is to qualify for the Asian Games 2026 and make it to the final. We want to create history again,” he stated.

Indonesia also holds a psychological edge, having defeated Sri Lanka 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2022 qualifiers. Since being guided by Dharma Raj, the team has shown significant progress, including winning back-to-back gold medals at the SEA Games in 2023 (Cambodia) and 2025 (Thailand).

The program has also opened pathways for Indonesian players to compete in European hockey leagues, further raising the team’s profile. With momentum on their side and a clear tactical plan, Indonesia is aiming to turn its semifinal clash into another milestone on the road to the Asian Games. ***