Teknowarta – The Indonesian national team is believed to have a strong chance of reaching the Round of 16 in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, even though they find themselves in a formidable “group of death.” This optimistic outlook comes from national football observer, Kesit Budi Handoyo.
Indeed, the path for the Indonesian national team in the 2027 Asian Cup appears challenging. Skuad Garuda has been drawn into Group F alongside football powerhouses Japan, host nation Qatar, and regional rival Thailand. Consequently, the team, currently under the guidance of John Herdman, is widely considered the underdog in this highly competitive group.
Kesit himself readily acknowledges the immense difficulty awaiting the Indonesian squad in the tournament. Yet, he simultaneously expresses confidence that Skuad Garuda possesses the potential to deliver a significant surprise. This belief is anchored in their recent commendable performance, having historically advanced to the fourth round of the AFC Zone 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, spearheaded by talents like Jay Idzes.
Underdogs in the Group of Death! Assessing the Indonesian National Team’s Chances at the 2027 Asian Cup
“If we look at Indonesia’s performance during the last 2026 World Cup Qualifiers journey, where Indonesia reached Round 4, then there is still hope for Indonesia to compete effectively,” Kesit stated during an interview with JawaPos.com on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
This achievement was indeed historic, marking the first time the Indonesian national team had progressed so far into the fourth round. However, despite this milestone, Skuad Garuda ultimately finished at the bottom of Group F in the qualifiers, following defeats to formidable opponents Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
According to Kesit, these past results can serve as valuable experience and a solid foundation for the Indonesian national team as they prepare to compete in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup. He identifies Japan as undoubtedly their toughest adversary. Therefore, he emphasizes that Skuad Garuda must strategically maximize their opportunities against Qatar and Thailand to secure a minimum of six crucial points.
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“At the very least, in Group F, facing Qatar and Thailand, Indonesia should still be confident enough to compete fiercely. When it comes to Japan, well, we all know Japan. Japan is Japan. They are an incredibly strong team,” he elaborated.
“Indonesia also suffered two defeats against them in the last World Cup Qualifiers. However, when it comes to facing Qatar and Thailand, we should still possess the courage to compete,” Kesit added, reinforcing his earlier sentiment.
If Skuad Garuda successfully secures these six points, their chances of advancing to the Round of 16 would appear quite favorable. This strategic positioning could potentially allow them to qualify either as a group runner-up or as one of the best third-placed teams, opening up their pathway in the tournament.
Furthermore, Kesit highlights the increasingly “luxurious” depth of the Indonesian national team’s squad. Consequently, he firmly believes that Skuad Garuda can at least replicate their previous remarkable achievement of reaching the Round of 16 in the AFC Asian Cup.
“Therefore, I believe the Indonesian national team’s chances remain significantly open in the 2027 Asian Cup, at the very least to match their previous record of qualifying for the Round of 16,” Kesit concluded decisively.
Summary
National football observer Kesit Budi Handoyo believes the Indonesian national team has a strong chance of reaching the Round of 16 in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Despite being drawn into a formidable “group of death” with Japan, host nation Qatar, and Thailand, Kesit cites Skuad Garuda’s historic progression to Round 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as a key reason for his optimism. This recent performance suggests the team possesses the potential to compete effectively.
To advance, Indonesia must strategically maximize their opportunities against Qatar and Thailand, aiming for a minimum of six crucial points, as Japan is recognized as their toughest adversary. Kesit further highlights the team’s increasingly “luxurious” squad depth, which strengthens their belief they can at least replicate their previous achievement of reaching the Round of 16. This strategic approach could see Skuad Garuda qualify either as a group runner-up or one of the best third-placed teams.