Coach Tan Cheng Hoe will now count on Dion Cools, who is expected to join the squad on Thursday, and Dominic Tan to fill the centreback spots.

“We will definitely miss Aidil and Shahrul as they have been the team’s defensive pillars of late. We hope Dion and Dominic will form a solid partnership,” Cheng Hoe told an online press conference today.

“We hope Cools will add a touch of ‘coolness’ to the team. With his experience, he can help the team; we will need all the cool heads after losing some good players. I hope whoever fielded will be ready.”

Cheng Hoe said he is not worried about taking on the Garuda without Aidil and Shahrul, who are expected to be out for a week. The former Kedah boss also has winger Faisal Halim, who has rejoined the team after being declared free of Covid-19, back at his disposal.

“We have faith in the players we have brought and we must give them confidence. If we continue to have doubts over their capabilities, it will surely affect their game,” said the 53-year-old.

Cheng Hoe admitted that Indonesia had made some tactical tweaks to their game under South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong.

“Tae-yong has brought a new generation of players this time, younger and more energetic. We can see they now play with speed. I hope we do not fall into their trap. They have also undergone good preparations,” said Cheng Hoe.

“If we look at how they played in their earlier two matches, it’s clear they are more energetic and spirited and they created a lot of chances. We have to be wary of their swift attacks.”