Indonesia Secures Spot in Asian U-23 Cup Quarterfinals with ...

Doha. The Indonesia National Football Team defeated Jordan 4-1 in the Group A match of the Asian U-23 Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. With this victory, The Garuda Squad secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Asian U-23 Cup and will face either South Korea or Japan.

Indonesia finished second in the final Group A standings of the Asian U-23 Cup with 6 points from three matches. The Indonesian team ranked second in the final standings below the host country Qatar, which collected 7 points.

In another match, Qatar could only manage a 0-0 draw against Australia. In the final Group A standings of the Asian U-23 Cup, Australia ranked third with 2 points, while Jordan was at the bottom of the table with 1 point.

This is the first time the Indonesian team has participated in the Asian U-23 Cup, and unexpectedly, they qualified for the quarterfinals on their debut. Indonesia joins six other countries that have already secured a place in the quarterfinals, including Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The four goals for the Red-and-White team were scored by Marselino Ferdinan in the 23rd and 70th minutes, Witan Sulaeman in the 40th minute, and Komang Teguh in the 86th minute. Meanwhile, Jordan U-23 managed to score through an own goal by Justin Hubner in the 79th minute.

"I am very happy to make history with my players," said Indonesia's Coach Shin Tae-yong in the post-match interview on Sunday.

The South Korean coach said building such a strong team has taken quite a long time since he was appointed as the coach four years ago.

"It took four years (to build the team). However, then within four years, two years when I couldn't perform because there was Covid-19. So after the next two years, I think we have made progress so far," he explained.

In the quarterfinals, Indonesia will meet the winner of Group B, which will be contested by South Korea or Japan, two Asian football powerhouses.

"So in the quarterfinals between Korea and Japan, we don't know who we will face yet. However, I will watch the match tomorrow and then prepare well," he said.

The 53-year-old coach realizes that South Korea and Japan are two respected football nations due to their reputation in Asian football. However, he is not afraid to face the strength of these two countries, which often represent Asia in the World Cup.

"So regardless of winning or losing in the quarterfinals, we will do our best. We will show that we give 100 percent on the field in the quarterfinals," said Coach Shin.

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir, who watched the Red and White team's struggle in Doha, Qatar, expressed his pride in the game and the courage and fighting spirit of the players.

"Our significant efforts have truly paid off. There has been a lot of hard work and concrete steps that we have taken together. Starting from suspending Liga 1, approaching foreign clubs to release our players, and not to mention the referee drama in the first match against Qatar. Praise God. Results will not be far from hard work," said Erick Thohir in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday.

Erick also specifically appreciated the players' struggle on the field. According to him, their high spirits made the players perform without burden, produce classy games, and continue to pressure until they won.

"This is evidence that we can. I hope this spirit continues to rise in the next round because the opponents will be stronger. This is a motivation for the next target, qualifying for the Olympics. Hopefully," he added.

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