China can beat Indonesia by 3 goals, says former China coach

China can beat Indonesia by three three goals in their Asian Cup Group A match Wednesday night in Beijing, said former China coach Bora Milutinovic.

The Bora-led China crushed Indonesia 5-1 in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying tournament in Kunming, Southwest China, on May 13, 2001.

China won the away leg 2-0 in Jakarta two weeks later.

"Your defense cannot leave any space for the counter attacking Indonesia," said Milutinovic, who quit after leading China to their first World Cup finals in 2002. His team conceded nine goals and scored nine in South Korea.

"I believe China can beat them by three goals," he said.

"I think China should play more at both flanks because they usually leave too many defenders in front of the box," he said.

And he thinks China's most lethal weaponry is "set pieces".

"Four of our five goals in Kunming were scored on set pieces," he said. "Because Chinese players are taller and stronger. You cannot miss that!"

Indonesia upset Qatar 2-1 in their first match and China were held 2-2 by Bahrain.

China have won all their six meetings against Indonesia since 1986, scoring 24 goals and conceding only two.