Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia captain Rizky Ridho has urged his teammates to stay disciplined and avoid unnecessary confrontations ahead of their crucial AFF Cup 2026 Group A clash against Vietnam on August 3.
The match at Pakansari Stadium could determine which team secures a place in the semifinals. Indonesia sit second in Group A with six points, while Vietnam are third with four.
Vietnam have built a reputation for playing aggressively and sometimes provoking opponents. Ridho said Indonesia must stay focused and avoid actions that could hurt the team’s chances.
“We have to focus on ourselves. Don’t hurt the team with unnecessary behavior,” Ridho said before the match.
The Persija Jakarta defender also pointed to the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in this year’s tournament. He believes the technology will make players more cautious during heated moments.
“Maybe they’ll try the same things they’ve done in previous years, but now we have VAR. They have to be careful, just like we do. That’s why I only want us to focus on our own game,” he said.
Ridho described Vietnam as Indonesia’s toughest test so far after victories over Cambodia and Timor-Leste in the opening two matches.
“This is a very important game for our group. If we win, we’ll be one step closer to the semifinals, whether as group winners or runners-up,” he said.
He also praised Vietnam’s quality, noting they won the tournament two years ago.
“Vietnam have many strengths. They are the defending champions, so this will be a great test for us. With the support of our fans, I’m confident we can give our best and earn all three points,” Ridho added.
