Jakarta –
From Japan face Indonesian National team presented in the final duel of Group D 2023 Asian Cup. This match will be a ‘reunion’ event for several players from both teams.
Japan will face Indonesia at Al Thumama Stadium, Wednesday (24/1/2024). This match is decisive for the two teams who need points to ensure they qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup.
This duel will be the first between the two teams after they last met in 1989 at senior level. Even so, several players from both teams have actually faced each other at youth level.
The last meeting between Japan and Indonesia at youth level occurred at the 2018 U-19 Asian Cup which was held in Indonesia. Japan U-19 met Indonesia U-19 in the quarter-finals which was held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.
There are three players from the Japan U-19 squad who are currently being brought by Japan to the Asian Cup in Qatar. They are wing defender Yukinari Sugawara, midfielder Hiroki Ito, and wing striker Takefusa Kubo.
Asnawi Mangkualam in the match against Japan in the 2018 U-19 Asian Cup. Photo: Getty Images/Robertus Pudyanto
Meanwhile, from Indonesia U-19 there are four players who are currently included in Indonesia’s senior squad for the Asian Cup. They are goalkeeper Muhammad Riyandi, wing defender Asnawi Mangkualam, wingers Witan Sulaeman and Egy Maulana Vikri.
At the U-18 Asian Cup, Sugawara was involved in an intense duel with Firza Andika who is the left back for Indonesia U-19. In that match, Firza also closely guarded Kubo, who couldn’t do much.
Japan U-19 won 2-0 over Indonesia U-19 in a match that was hit by heavy rain throughout the second half. The goal scorers were Shunki Higashi with his long-range kick and Taisei Miyashiro.
Meanwhile Indonesia U-19 also had several golden opportunities which Syahrian Abimanyu and Saddil Ramdani failed to take advantage of. Meanwhile, Saddil almost added to the list of U-19 players who were included in the Asian Cup final squad, but was ultimately dropped.
After the 2018 U-19 Asian Cup, a number of players in that match will face each other again at senior level when the Japan vs Indonesia match is played in the final group stage match. 2023 Asian Cup.
(krs/krs)
2024-01-23 13:18:00
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