Indonesia Stuns Korea in 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Semifinals: Eyes on Paris Olympics

[OSEN=서정환 기자] Indonesia is not satisfied with beating Korea and is looking to bigger places.

The U-23 national football team led by coach Hwang Sun-hong bowed to Indonesia in the semi-finals of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup held at Abdullah bin Stadium Khalifa in Doha, Qatar, early morning of the 26th (Korean time).

Korea fought in a disadvantageous situation where they were one man short as ace Lee Young-jun, who had scored three goals, was sent off in the 25th minute of the second half for a foul foul. In the end, Korea tied 2-2 in overtime, then lost 10-11 in a penalty shootout and was eliminated.

The Asian Cup semi-final draw has been completed. Indonesia will play the semi-finals against Uzbekistan at 11pm on the 29th. Japan will face Iraq in the early morning of the 30th. The winner of the semi-finals will advance directly to the Paris Olympics.

Korea was barred from advancing to the finals for the first time in 10 consecutive Olympics since the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It has been 40 years since the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles that Korean football has not appeared on the Olympic stage. Hwang Seon-hong returned to Korea in a bad condition on the morning of the 27th.

Indonesia is currently suffering from ‘Shin Tae-yong Syndrome’. Just a day before defeating Korea, coach Shin Tae-yong extended his role as national team coach until 2027 with the Indonesian Football Association. The President of the Indonesian Football Association, Tohir, personally went to Doha and received a stamp on the contract at a Korean restaurant.

Director Shin Tae-yong kept his promise within one day. Indonesia, who have now reached the semi-finals, are very much aiming to advance to the Olympics. Even if Indonesia finishes in fourth place, they will have one last chance to go to Paris if they win against Guinea, the fourth team in Africa, in the playoffs.

The Indonesian media was also in an uproar. It’s like watching Coach Guus Hiddink, who led Korea to the semi-finals of the Korea-Japan World Cup, or Coach Park Hang-seo, the ‘hero of Vietnam’.

Indonesian media agency ‘Tempo’ said, “Coach Shin Tae-yong, who beat his country in Korea, is positive about advancing to the Paris Olympics beyond the semi-finals . “The players got stronger motivation with the victory in the Korean game,” he said.

The departure of coaches Lee Young-jun and Hwang Seon-hong was fatal. ‘Tempo’ said, “Youngjun Lee was sent off by Australian referee Sean Evans. Coach Hwang Seon-hong also protested loudly and was sent off for crossing the touchline. Baek Jong-beom scored the first goal for Korea, but the assistant referee said it was offside. He saw no problem with the decision, saying, “The assistant referee did his job.”

“In the shootout, Indonesian goalkeeper Hernando Ari blocked Lee Kang-hee’s shot, confirming Indonesia’s victory. “Indonesia’s last kicker, Pratama Aran, decided to win with a shot,” he said, looking back on Indonesia’s glory days. / [email protected]

[저작권자 @머니투데이, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]