Indonesia takes on Vietnam at Pakansari

The battle for a semifinal berth in the 2026 ASEAN Cup Group A is reaching a critical juncture, with Indonesia hosting Vietnam at Pakansari (Bogor) at 8:30 PM on August 3.

This match is considered pivotal for the group standings. After two rounds, Singapore leads with 7 points, Indonesia is second with 6, and Vietnam sits third with 4. Therefore, the outcome of the clash at Pakansari could be a turning point in the fight for a semifinal ticket.

The hosts enter the match with confidence after a 3-0 victory over Timor-Leste. Meanwhile, Vietnam just shared points with Singapore following a 0-0 draw, forcing them to aim for a positive result away from home if they want to keep their fate in their own hands.

The home advantage is expected to help Indonesia play more proactively. However, John Herdman's side still faces a major challenge against the reigning Southeast Asian champions, a team always praised for its composure and experience in regional tournaments.

Ahead of the match, defender Shayne Pattynama called on Indonesian fans to continue supporting the team.

"I hope everyone will keep coming to the stadium to cheer for us in the match against Vietnam so the team can earn another three points. Thank you all for your support," the Indonesia international shared.

With the tight point gap among the top three teams, the showdown at Pakansari is expected to directly impact the Group A situation before the final round.

Both Indonesia and Vietnam are determined not to lose their advantage in the race to advance.

Young striker Mitchell Baker continues to impress at the 2026 AFF Cup, rising to the top of the scoring charts after two group-stage matches. The explosive form of the 19-year-old is generating high expectations for Indonesia ahead of the clash with Vietnam.

In Indonesia's 3-0 win over Timor-Leste at Chonburi Stadium (Thailand) on July 31, Baker scored the third goal for John Herdman's team after Shayne Pattynama and Thom Haye had found the net.

That goal helped Baker raise his tally to four in two matches,独占 the top spot in the 2026 AFF Cup top scorer standings. The Indonesian striker is one goal ahead of Paulo Josue (Malaysia) and Nguyen Dinh Bac, who both have three goals.

Earlier, in his debut match for Indonesia at the 2026 AFF Cup, Baker scored a hat-trick, playing a key role in the 5-1 victory over Cambodia. With his impressive scoring rate, the 19-year-old is emerging as a strong candidate for the tournament's Golden Boot.

If he maintains his current form, Baker has a chance to extend the list of Indonesian players who have won the AFF Cup Golden Boot, such as Gendut Doni Christiawan, Bambang Pamungkas, Ilham Jaya Kesuma, and Budi Sudarsono.