Flooring Guide by Cinvex – Despite being drawn into a daunting “Group of Death” for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the Indonesian national team remains capable of reaching the Round of 16. This optimistic outlook comes from prominent national football analyst, Kesit Budi Handoyo.
The road ahead for Indonesia in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup is undoubtedly difficult. The Garuda squad, managed by John Herdman, has been placed in Group F alongside heavyweights Japan, Qatar, and Thailand, effectively entering the tournament as the clear underdog.
Acknowledging the immense challenge, Kesit remains confident that the team can pull off an upset. The players, led by Jay Idzes, carry valuable momentum from their historic performance in reaching the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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“If we look at Indonesia’s performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they successfully reached the fourth round, there is certainly reason to be hopeful. Indonesia is capable of competing at this level,” Kesit stated when reached by JawaPos.com on Saturday (May 16, 2026).
That milestone marked a historic achievement for the nation, as it was the first time the team had advanced that far. Although the campaign ended with Indonesia finishing at the bottom of their group following defeats to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the experience gained against elite competition serves as a vital foundation for their Asian Cup aspirations.
According to Kesit, this experience will be crucial for navigating the group stage. While Japan is widely regarded as the most formidable opponent, Kesit argues that the Garuda squad must capitalize on their matches against Qatar and Thailand to secure at least six points.
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“At the very least, when facing Qatar and Thailand in Group F, Indonesia should feel confident in their ability to compete. Japan, however, is a different story; Japan is Japan. They are an incredibly strong side,” he explained.
“We experienced firsthand the strength of the Japanese team during the World Cup qualifiers. Nevertheless, when it comes to Qatar and Thailand, we should definitely have the courage to go for the win,” added Kesit.
Securing six points would significantly improve Indonesia’s chances of advancing to the Round of 16, either as a runner-up or as one of the best third-placed teams. This path is further supported by the increased depth and quality of the current Indonesian roster.
Given the talent available, Kesit believes that the team is well-positioned to at least match their previous performance in the tournament, where they successfully navigated their way to the knockout stages.
“Ultimately, I believe the opportunity for the Indonesian national team to advance is quite realistic, at least to repeat their previous achievement of reaching the Round of 16 at the Asian Cup,” Kesit concluded.
Summary
Despite being drawn into a challenging “Group of Death” alongside Japan, Qatar, and Thailand for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the Indonesian national team is optimistic about reaching the Round of 16. Football analyst Kesit Budi Handoyo believes the squad can leverage the valuable experience gained during their historic run in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers to remain competitive at this elite level.
To advance, Indonesia is encouraged to target victories in their matches against Qatar and Thailand, while acknowledging the superior strength of the Japanese side. Securing six points from these matchups is considered a realistic path for the team to progress, either as a group runner-up or one of the best third-placed finishers.