It seems like a never-ending struggle for Indonesia, as it faces another daunting group match against host Philippines in its second game of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2016 on Tuesday.

Indonesia, which was outclassed 4-2 by defending champion Thailand in Saturday’s opener, sits at the bottom of Group A — dubbed the hellish group — without a point among heavyweights Thailand (3 points) and Singapore (1), as well as the Philippines (1).

On the same day, the Philippines, backed by the home crowd, held four-time AFF Cup winner Singapore 0-0 to earn a significant point to survive the group stage.

Indonesia’s Austrian coach, Alfred Rield, said he would immediately make a thorough evaluation and precise analysis after the loss before setting a perfect strategy for Tuesday’s bout.

“The Philippines is a good team. We lost big time to it in 2014,” said Riedl, referring to the 4-0 loss for Indonesia during a group stage match in the 2014 cup, in a press release.

“In the next match, [the Philippines] will play against us in front of home supporters,” he added.

In 2014, two-time semifinalist Philippines ranked second in the group stage, while Indonesia did not advance as it finished third. At that time, the Philippines was in Group A along with Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos. The Philippines lost 3-0 in the semifinals against Thailand.

Indonesian team captain Boaz Solossa is nevertheless hopeful that the red-and-white squad pulls through, regardless of the absence of favorite striker Irfan Haarys Bachdim due to a foot injury.

“We’ve got two more matches ahead. The Philippines is definitely one level below Thailand, but we have to stay alert, nonetheless,” said the 30-year-old.

“I hope we can earn winning points in the remaining matches,” added the striker of Persipura Jayapura soccer club.

In Saturday’s opener, the cup got off to a sensational start following a brilliant opening game that saw defending champion Thailand beating Indonesia.

A hat trick from Thailand’s Teerasil Dangda — in the 36th-minute, 79th and 94th — proved too much for Indonesia.

The Thais were 2-0 up at halftime following goals from Peerapat Notchaiya, in the 5th minute, and Dangda. But its opponent unexpectedly and bravely bounced back with goals from Boaz Solossa and Lerby Eliandry, respectively in the 53rd and 56th minute.

The defending champion eventually showed why it has won this event four times with two more goals from Dangda.

“[Thailand] has some international experience that we don’t have, we have some young guys. It’s a good game, but of course we’re not happy with the result,” said Riedl, as quoted by the affsuzukicup.com.

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