Indonesia, which is ranked 134th in the world, failed to achieve a goal that would have allowed it to pass the men’s football qualifications for the Summer Olympics for the first time in history. President Joko Widodo, who is half a year from leaving office, could not hide his disappointment.
Indonesia, coached by Shin Tae-yong (54), faced Uzbekistan, ranked 64 in the world, in the semi-finals of the U-23 Asian Cup at the 6th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on April 29 ( Korean time), but they lost 0-2.
In this competition, 3.5 tickets to the finals of the 33rd Paris Olympics in France are at stake. According to Antara, Indonesia’s national news agency, President Joko Widodo watched the match against Uzbekistan with ministers in his official residence.
Joko Widodo answers questions during a press conference at the Indonesian Presidential Palace on April 29, 2024. Photo = AP = Provided by Yonhap News
Indonesia scored the first goal in the 16th minute of the U-23 Asian Championship semi-finals, which were tied 0-0, but an offside foul was flagged by video review (VAR).
‘Antara’ cited the testimony of the Minister of Public Works and Housing and said, “President Joko Widodo fell as if the goal of the Indonesian football team against Uzbekistan was canceled.”
Indonesia’s Minister of Public Works and Housing said, “Not only the president, but many other high-ranking officials lost the strength of their legs when the goal was reversed in the U-23 Asian Cup semi-finals . “Everyone in the residence said nothing for a while.”
news/cms/202404/30/news-p.v1.20240430.2462a6a5bac848cd80b039cc4bc66c54_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440"/> enlarge picture Indonesian players celebrate after scoring the opening goal against Uzbekistan in the semi-final of the 6th Asian Football Confederation U-23 Asian Cup. However, the goal was disallowed after a video review. Photo = AFP = Provided by Yonhap News
The ominous prediction became reality. Indonesia conceded a goal after 7 minutes, was suspended in the 39th minute of the second half, and conceded an own goal 2 minutes later, allowing Uzbekistan to advance to the finals of the 2024 AFC Asian Cup U -23.
Antara explained, “The Minister of Transport, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Information and Communications also watched the live telecast of the semi-finals at the President’s residence, elegantly dressed in ball team uniforms -Indonesian national football team. “
Indonesia’s first and last Olympic qualification was in 1956 when it placed 7th at the 16th Melbourne, Australia Games. However, it passed 68 years ago thanks to Taiwan refusing to play against FIFA’s decision to ban the use of the national flag. After that, they were eliminated in the preliminary 15 rounds.
news/cms/202404/30/news-p.v1.20240430.699bd158337642549e2875d09d756bfd_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440"/> enlarge picture The 6th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup semi-final match between Indonesia (red) and Uzbekistan (white). Photo = AFP = Provided by Yonhap News
If he qualifies for the finals in his 16th attempt, it will be an achievement that will be remembered for a long time in Indonesian sporting history. Starting at 0:30am on May 3, there will be a match against Iraq, who are ranked 58th in the world, for third place in the Asian Under-23 Championship.
Coach Shin Tae-yong is changing Indonesian sport with ▲ second place at the 13th Southeast Asian Championship in 2022 ▲ men’s football bronze medal at the 31st Southeast Asian Games in 2022 ▲ second place at the 4th Southeast Asian U-23 Championship in 2023.
news/cms/202404/30/news-p.v1.20240430.338942f752214035acce5b79eb6ff4d9_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="660"/> enlarge picture Indonesia’s national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, watches the U23 AFC Asian Cup 2024 semi-final match against Uzbekistan. Photo = AFP = Provided by Yonhap News
This is the first time for Indonesian football to participate in the finals of the Asian Under-23 Cup. Coach Shin Tae-yong, who received generous praise just for the quarter-finals, became a national hero after entering the semi-finals.
All we have to do is win the third place against Iraq. If Indonesia remains in 4th place in the tournament, it will compete for the final spot in men’s football at the Paris Olympics by playing the Asia-Africa qualifying playoffs against Guinea, which is ranked 76 in the world, on May 10 in neutral France.
news/cms/202404/30/news-p.v1.20240430.a9c6acb6e60a4ba6bcc53822a20cc9fa_R.png" data-width="660" data-height="440"/> enlarge picture Indonesia celebrates during the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup semi-final match against Uzbekistan at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photo = AFP = Provided by Yonhap News
Indonesia 2024 U-23 Asian Cup schedule
against Qatar lost 0-2
Australia won the match 1-0
against Jordan winning 4-1
against Korea 2-2
against Uzbekistan lost 0-2
2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, 7 goals, 7 conceded
Iraq Asian Cup 2024 U-23 Schedule
against Thailand lost 0-2
Tajikistan won 4-2
against Saudi Arabia 2-1
against Vietnam 1-0
against Japan lost 0-2
3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses, 7 goals, 7 conceded
Kang Dae-ho, MK Sports reporter
2024-04-30 07:00:00
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