Indonesia — Lebanon : Match Preview and Prediction for September 08,2025

Indonesia’s Recent Form and Real Challenges

While a resounding 6-0 victory over Chinese Taipei certainly catches the eye, it’s crucial not to be misled by such a scoreline. The head of Indonesia’s football federation, Erick Thohir, himself candidly stated that the true test of their capabilities would come against Lebanon. Given Chinese Taipei’s 172nd position in the FIFA rankings, this result hardly provides an accurate gauge of the Indonesian national team’s genuine strength.

Kluivert’s Tactical Overhaul

Under the stewardship of Patrick Kluivert, the squad is currently undergoing a significant rebuilding phase. Kluivert is actively implementing a new 4-2-3-1 formation, openly acknowledging that the system requires further refinement and the rectification of various shortcomings. This suggests that cohesive team play is still developing, and the attacking unit has yet to gel into a seamless mechanism, a deficiency likely to be exposed when facing a more tactically organized opponent.

Home Game Goal Statistics for Indonesia

The statistics paint a clear picture. In 9 out of Indonesia’s last 11 home fixtures, fewer than three goals were scored in total.

Lebanon’s Formidable Challenge

Lebanon represents an adversary of a distinctly different caliber. Currently ranked 112th in the FIFA standings, they sit six positions above Indonesia. This is not a team to be underestimated; rather, they are a robust squad capable of grinding out results, particularly when playing away from home.

Radulović’s Rebuilding Strategy

Head coach Miodrag Radulović is currently focused on restructuring and rejuvenating the squad. He has openly spoken about a ‘regeneration process,’ emphasizing the significance of the match against Indonesia for providing valuable experience to his younger players. Under such circumstances, the primary emphasis is invariably placed on defensive solidity rather than an extravagant attacking display.

Key Absences and Defensive Focus

Furthermore, the Lebanese squad is grappling with significant personnel challenges. Team captain Kassem Zein will be absent from the game, along with several other key players from their attacking contingent. This clearly indicates that their offensive potential will be severely curtailed. Historical data corroborates this expectation: in 12 of Lebanon’s last 16 away matches, fewer than 2.5 goals were scored.