Thai Coach Points Out the Name He Wants to Avoid at the Asian Cup Finals

Thai Coach Anthony Hudson acknowledges Indonesia as the most formidable opponent in Group 4, while expressing a desire to avoid facing them to increase the chances of advancing past the group stage in the 2027 Asian Cup.

Before the group stage draw ceremony for the 2027 Asian Cup, the head coach of the Thai national team Anthony Hudson shared noteworthy remarks regarding the possibility of encountering the Indonesian national team. The English tactician admitted he does not wish his team to be placed in the same group as the representative from the archipelago nation.

According to the plan, the draw ceremony will take place on May 9, 2026, in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The 24 participating teams are divided into four seeding groups based on FIFA rankings. The Indonesian national team is in seeding group 4 alongside Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Kuwait, Singapore, and Lebanon/Yemen. Meanwhile, Thailand belongs to group 3, meaning the two teams could potentially meet right from the group stage.

Regarding the opponents, Coach Anthony Hudson particularly noted the strength of Indonesia. He believes this is the most formidable team in seeding group 4 and could make the group unpredictable.

“Indonesia is the strongest team in group 4. If we end up in a group with them, along with a strong team from group 1 and a tough opponent from group 2, that would be a very challenging group,” Coach Hudson shared.

The English strategist further analyzed that group 1 teams like Japan, South Korea, Iran, or Uzbekistan are all of high caliber, while group 2 also has many tough opponents such as Jordan. Therefore, if they additionally had to face Indonesia, Thailand's chances of advancing would significantly diminish.

Instead, Hudson hopes his team lands in a more “comfortable” group with opponents like Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, or Yemen from group 4. According to him, this scenario would help the “War Elephants” increase their chances of progressing past the group stage. These statements indicate Indonesia is gradually asserting its position in the region, becoming an opponent that makes major Southeast Asian teams cautious ahead of continental tournaments.