Erol Iba, a former midfielder for the Indonesian national football team, has expressed concerns about the aggressive playing style of Vietnam ahead of their upcoming match in the ASEAN Cup 2026. Scheduled to take place on August 3 at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, this match is crucial for both teams in Group A.

In an interview with Bolasport, Iba advised the Indonesian players, particularly under the guidance of coach John Herdman, to remain composed and not to fall into provocations from the Vietnamese players. He stated, "One thing I want to remind the players, especially when facing Vietnam, is to avoid being provoked. Play according to the coach's strategy and do not let emotions take over."

Iba, who faced Vietnam multiple times from 2006 to 2009, noted that matches between the two teams have historically been intense. He believes that psychological factors can significantly influence the outcome, making it essential for Indonesia to maintain concentration throughout the game.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Iba highlighted Vietnam's tendency to play aggressively, stating, "Vietnam has always played very physically and tends to be a bit rough. Myanmar also plays tough, but not to the same extent."

Indonesia is grouped with Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor Leste in Group A. Before facing Vietnam, they will play against Cambodia and Timor Leste, which Iba views as vital matches to build momentum for the highly anticipated encounter.

In addition to discussing the match, Iba also touched upon Indonesia's aspirations in the ASEAN Cup 2026. Despite reaching the finals six times, Indonesia has yet to win the tournament since its inception in 1996. He is optimistic that the current generation of players has the potential to end this long-standing title drought.

Iba believes that Indonesia possesses a strong squad capable of competing with the best teams in Southeast Asia, but he acknowledges that Group A will be fiercely contested, with every team aiming for a spot in the semifinals. "Every match is going to be challenging, and I have experienced that firsthand," he remarked.

In recent encounters, Vietnam and Indonesia have faced each other eight times since 2020, with a balanced record of three wins each and two draws. However, Vietnam has a slight edge in goal difference, scoring seven goals while conceding five. After a challenging start to 2024, including losses in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers, Vietnam regained its form with a 1-0 victory over Indonesia in the 2024 ASEAN Championship group stage.