How should the national team play? Soccer News: Mainly focus on defensive counterattacks against Australia, must suppress Indonesia in momentum

Soccer News wrote that whether Wu Lei and Alan can participate in the match against Indonesia is still uncertain, which has affected the national team’s preparation to a certain extent. At present, for the two games of the 18-strong qualifiers in October, the away game against Australia will naturally focus on defensive counterattacks, relying on the existing personnel for preparation; however, the strategy for the home game against Indonesia, especially how to set up the offensive tactics, is likely to be a major challenge for the coaching staff led by Ivan.

However, there are two points that are beyond doubt. First, given the characteristic of Indonesia having many naturalized players with a “mercenary” attribute, the national team must suppress the opponent in terms of momentum. If this cannot be achieved, the Indonesian team might gain more momentum, making it easier for their individual player abilities to shine, which could put the national team in a difficult situation.

Second, the national team must have better tactical setups on the offensive end because this is a game they cannot afford to lose. While defense is important, how to break through offensively is equally crucial, and tactical setup cannot be separated from the players. A feasible approach is for Ivan to design offensive tactics mainly based on the currently training national team members. If Wu Lei and Alan recover, they can be used as important reserves. Zhang Yuning, Bai Helamu, Lin Liangming, Wei Shihao, and Fernando are the main attacking options available to the national team at present, and Ivan needs to make choices.

Additionally, Soccer News added that in defense, the national team also needs to be wary of midfielder Luongo, who was the MVP of the 2015 Asian Cup. In the quarterfinals of that Asian Cup, he was the core of Australia’s midfield when they defeated the national team 2-0. After the 2019 Asian Cup, he was dropped by Arnold and did not enter the Australian national team for a period of time. However, the 32-year-old Luongo has performed well in his club and was the core of Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League last season. Although he has recently become a substitute in the Premier League, his experience and ability cannot be underestimated. For the Australian team, which has yet to complete its generational transition, the return of the core player from the Asian Cup championship team is very important for boosting the morale of the entire team and enriching the tactical playbook.