Indonesia Must Beware Thailand’s Individual Player Quality: Analyst

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian football analyst Gregah Nurikhsani believes Thailand will pose a serious challenge for the national team in tonight’s clash, pointing to the individual quality of Thai players as a decisive factor.

He noted that Thailand combines strong collective play with standout individual talent across all positions, forcing Indonesia to anticipate the opponent’s pace from the opening whistle until the final minutes.

“The main task for Indonesia is to cope with the individual quality of Thai players, who remain among the most prominent in Southeast Asia. Collectively they are compact, but their individual skills are highly visible on the pitch,” Gregah said in an interview with PRO3 RRI on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Beyond individual ability, Gregah stressed that Indonesian players still lack a deep understanding of Thailand’s footballing style. He argued that experience in ASEAN competitions is crucial for reading opponents’ patterns and adjusting to shifts in tempo.

“Most Indonesian players are not yet familiar with Thai football, unlike those who know ASEAN football. Players such as Rizky Ridho, Nadeo Argawinata, and Egy Maulana Vikri are considered to have a stronger grasp of these characteristics,” he explained.

That knowledge, he added, is vital since Thailand’s style has long been established within ASEAN football. Indonesia must therefore maintain concentration and strengthen on-field communication to counter Thailand’s threats effectively. The experience of Rizky, Nadeo, and Egy could serve as an asset in reading the opponent’s game and keeping Indonesia’s rhythm intact.

Gregah urged Indonesia not only to focus on marking Thai players individually but also to anticipate collective movements. Discipline in maintaining space and the courage to make quick decisions, he said, will be key to sustaining Indonesia’s chances of a positive result.

“Understanding ASEAN football can help Indonesian players read Thailand’s game more effectively. Experience is an important asset to maintain rhythm and consistently anticipate individual quality throughout the match,” he concluded. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)