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There is no more room for mistakes or excuses if Indonesia wants to reach the 2011 Asian Cup.

After losing 2-1 at Kuwait on Saturday, the Merah Putih are last in Group B and face a must-win match tonight against the same foe. Kickoff at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m.

The match will be broadcast live on RCTI.

“It was a painful loss, but we have to fight back,” Indonesia coach Benny Dollo said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “We can’t afford to take another loss or draw. We must win if we want to qualify.”

Hopes were high when Bambang Pamungkas gave Indonesia the lead after 33 minutes in Kuwait City. However, the team’s notorious lack of fitness caught up with it as Bader Al Motawaa scored two late goals to turn the tables and lift Kuwait into second place in the group.

With Boaz Solossa and Firman Utina nursing injuries, Benny is likely to recall Persib Bandung striker Budi Sudarsono to the national side. The team will give Boaz and Firman fitness tests this morning before making a final decision on its lineup.

Benny said he would field an attacking lineup against Kuwait, but he was cagey when asked how his team would play.

“We evaluated the [Saturday] match, and there will be a slight change. You’ll see,” he said. “I gave Budi a call-up as we’re worried about Boaz’s condition. But even if Boaz is ready to play, I will put Budi on the pitch. You can guess for yourself what kind of game plan we will use.”

Kuwait sits second in Group B with six points from three matches, including wins against Indonesia and Australia. The Socceroos lead the group with seven points from four matches, with Oman third with four points. Indonesia’s only points have come from scoreless draws at Oman and at home against Australia.

Only the top two from each group advance to join host Qatar, 2008 AFC Challenge Cup winner India and the top three from the 2007 Asian Cup — South Korea, Saudi Arabia and championIraq — in the tournament proper.

“We’ll try to take three points for sure, but it will be tough,” Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic said “Indonesia has many good players. They have good defenders, two good wingers and forwards with good experience.”

He added that his players would not be bothered by Indonesia’s fans as playing in a packed Gelora Bung Karno would only give them more motivation.

Kuwait arrived in Jakarta on Monday with fitness worries after Al Motawaa and defender Walied Jummah suffered hamstring injuries during Saturday’s match. However, Tufegdzic said both players will be able to start today. Asian Cup