Falling from Iraq, Indonesia knocks on the final door to the Paris Olympics
Indonesia failed to reach Paris via the two roads available in Qatar. "Young Garuda" still has one hope of going to Paris 2024.
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Indonesian player, Ivar Jenner (center/6), kicks the ball to score a goal against Iraq in the third place match of the U-23 Asian Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar, on Thursday (2/5/2024).
DOHA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian U-23 team has failed to win direct tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics on two previous occasions through the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. After falling in the semifinals to Uzbekistan," Garuda Muda” also lost 1-2 in the duel for third place from Iraq, Thursday (2/5/2024), at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Qatar.
Qatar's failure to win a ticket to Paris 2024 was confirmed by a goal from Iraqi striker, Ali Jassim, in the 96th minute. Indonesia took the lead through a kick from midfielder Ivar Jenner, in the 19th minute. However, the lead only lasted eight minutes due to an equalizing header from Iraqi defender, Zaid Tahseen.
With this condition, Indonesia has one ticket left as the 16th team that will appear in the men's soccer event at the 2024 Olympics. The remaining ticket from the final gate is through the inter-zone playoff match against the African ambassador, Guinea.
The decisive match to realize Indonesia's dream to return to the Olympics since Melbourne 1956 will be held at the Clairefontaine Training Center, France, on May 9, 2024.
Indonesian player Marselino Ferdinan (left/7) vies for the ball with Iraqi player Karrar Mohammed Ali during the match for the third position of the U-23 Asian Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, on Thursday (2/5/2024).
The meeting between Indonesia and Guinea is the second time the inter-zone playoff has brought together representatives from Asia and Africa. The first and last time this moment occurred was in the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers. At that time, Senegal won the final ticket to London 2012 after beating Asia's representative, Oman, 2-0.
If they can become the first Asian team to qualify through the playoffs to the Olympic finals, Indonesia will be included in Group A. In that group, Garuda Muda will meet the host team, France, then the United States and New Zealand.
Indonesia will open the men's football match of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by facing New Zealand, on July 25th, 2024 at 5 PM local time. The match will be held at Nice Stadium. After the game, France will host the US at Marseille Stadium.
In the second match, Indonesia will face France, which is coached by their football legend, Thierry Henry. In the final match of Group A, Indonesia will face the USA.
Also read: Iraq Draws Against Indonesia, 1-1, in First Half
Indonesian player, Rio Fahmi (center/2), battles for the ball against Iraqi player, Blnd Azad Klouri (right/9), during the third place match of the U-23 Asia Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Thursday (2/5/2024).
For Iraq, the victory continues their good fortune in Qatar. The last time they competed in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics was in 2016 after securing third place in the 2016 U-23 Asia Cup, which was also held in the Middle Eastern country.
Eight years ago, the “Mesopotamian Lions” beat the hosts, Qatar, 2-1 in the race for the final ticket to the main round of the Olympics. As a result, Iraq will participate sixth in the biggest sporting event.
Go ahead
Indonesia initially faced pressure in the first 10 minutes of the match. After the game went past the 10th minute, Indonesian players were able to control the game with dominance of ball possession. The midfield duo of Ivar and Marselino Ferdinan performed well in distributing the ball in the midfield as well as maintaining the game's tempo.
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Indonesian player Ivar Jenner (center/6) celebrates his goal against Iraq in front of the spectators' stands during the match for third place in the U-23 Asia Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Thursday (2/5/2024).
The goal made Indonesia play more calmly. However, instead of scoring an additional goal, Indonesia actually conceded a tying goal through Iraq's third corner kick scheme.
Iraqi defender, Zaid Tahseen, equalized the score. The opportunity was initiated by the sweep of Indonesian goalkeeper, Ernando Ari, who did not execute it perfectly, allowing the ball to still be reachable by the Iraqi player in Indonesia's penalty box.
After Iraq scored a goal, Indonesia's left side defense appeared to decline slightly. The trio of central defenders consisting of Muhammad Ferrari, Justin Hubner, and Nathan Tjoe-A-On struggled four times to block crosses on the side of the field occupied by left wing-back Pratama Arhan.
The collection of 53 percent ball possession in the first half proves the control in the game by the legs of the Garuda Muda players. However, Iraq, who rely on long passes, managed to score more shots. Iraq closed the first half with eight shots while Indonesia produced five shots.
Also read: Indonesian Supporters' Enthusiasm Remains Great, Ticket Rates for Iraq are Decreasing
Indonesian player, Witan Sulaeman (left), dribbles the ball while being shadowed by Iraqi player, Muntadher Mohammed Maslookhi, in the match for third place in the U-23 Asia Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Thursday (5/2/2024).
In the second half, Indonesia's defense improved in containing the Iraqi players' penetration from both wings. However, the performance of Indonesia's frontline worsened.
The Garuda Muda squad could only add four shots, none of which forced Iraqi goalkeeper Hussein Hasan to make any saves. Indonesia only managed to create opportunities through two crosses from the right side of Iraq.
On the contrary, Iraq's direct attacks resulted in 10 additional shots, two of which nearly caused grief for Indonesia. In the 73rd minute, Iraq's striker, Nihad Mohammed, fired a shot that was out of reach for Ernando, but Nathan was able to sweep the ball before it crossed the goal line. Then, Ernando made a save with his foot from Nihad's shot in the 90+2 minute.
However, Indonesia's backline resilience faded due to one small mistake in the overtime period. In the 96th minute, Justin failed to intercept the lobbed pass from Iraqi midfielder Muntadher Mohammed to Jassim, who was running between Justin and Ferrari.
Also read: Turn off Ali Jassim, Indonesia's chance of winning over Iraq increases
Indonesian player Jeam Kelly Sroyer dribbles the ball in Iraq's defense during the third-placed match of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Thursday (2/5/2024).
Without any difficulty, Jassim conquered Ernando in a one-on-one situation. Jassim scored his fourth goal in the 2024 Asia U-23 Cup, leading the tournament's top scorer list.
Indonesia has the best opportunity to equalize the position through Ramadhan Sananta's header in the 120+4 minute, which utilized Arhan's long throw-in. However, the ball could still be swept away by the Iraqi defender in front of the goal.
