Falling from Guinea, Indonesia U-23's hopes of going to the Paris Olympics are gone
Even though they failed to fulfill their dream of appearing at the Paris Olympics, the struggle of the Indonesian U-23 team deserves two thumbs up.
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Guinea striker, Momo Fanye Toure (left), fights with Indonesian defender, Bagas Kaffa, in the 2024 Olympics playoff match, in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, Thursday (9/5/2024). Indonesia failed to make it to the Olympics after losing 0-1.
CLAIREFONTAINE, THURSDAY — Three opportunities for the Indonesian U-23 team to reach the final round of the 2024 Paris Olympics ended in failure. “Young Garuda” lost again in the decisive match to Paris. In the 2024 Olympics playoff game, it was Guinea's turn to beat Indonesia 0-1, Thursday (9/5/2024), at the Pierre Pibarot Stadium, Clairfontaine, France.
This bitter reality repeats the sad story experienced by Indonesia in February 1976. At that time, Indonesia also failed to win due to losing 4-5 on penalties to North Korea in the match for tickets to the main round. 1976 Montreal Olympics.
It's no wonder that Indonesia's long wait to compete in the world's biggest football tournament since the Melbourne 1956 edition has not yet ended. This dream will last for more than 70 years because the qualifying rounds for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will only begin in 2027, or three years from now.
On the other hand, Indonesia failed to end the bad luck of Asian representatives in the Olympic playoffs. Previously, in the 2012 London edition, Oman also lost to the African ambassador, Senegal, in a duel for the final ticket to the main round of the Olympics.
Also read: Indonesia vs Guinea, Fierce Players on Both Sides of the Field
Indonesia also failed to secure four Asian representatives in the final round of the Olympics. With Indonesia's failure, the best record for Asian ambassadors at the Olympics is still held at the 1948 London edition. Four teams represented Asia, namely China, India, South Korea, and Afghanistan.
Although they failed to realize their dream of competing in the Olympic Games, the Indonesian U-23 team has achieved the highest achievement in age-level football competition. No previous Indonesian U-23 team has made it to the semifinals of the AFC U-23 Cup, and they were only one win away from competing in the Olympic Games.
Indonesian players leave the field after being defeated by Guinea in the pre-Olympic playoff match to compete for the final place in the football event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, Paris, Thursday (9/5/2024) .
The journey in the Asia U-23 Cup 2024, which also serves as the qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, can be a preparation for the young Garuda players to improve their performance level with the Indonesian national team. Key players such as Marselino Ferdinan, Ernando Ari, Ivar Jenner, Pratama Arhan, Rafael Struick, Witan Sulaeman, and Nathan Tjoe-A-On will play important matches in the Asia U-23 Cup 2024 and compete in France against Guinea.
The screams of hundreds of Indonesian fans at the end of the match still gave encouragement to the Garuda Muda squad. Even though the capacity of the supporters' stands was limited, the sound of chants of support from Indonesian fans carrying red and white flags echoed loudly for 90 minutes.
"Indonesia remains enthusiastic," said the solace of a number of Indonesian supporters when the players were about to leave the field.
Also read: Indonesia vs Guinea, Twin Ambition to End Long Wait to Appear at the Olympics
The end of the wait for Guinea
Meanwhile, Guinea managed to return to the Olympics for the second time. They have been waiting since Mexico 1968 to compete in the Olympics, a global football tournament under the World Cup.
Guinea is joining Group A in Paris 2024. The team, nicknamed the "National Elephant," will compete against hosts France, followed by the United States and New Zealand.
Despite being overcome by mental fatigue and a series of minor injury problems experienced by several players from the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, Garuda Muda was able to provide maximum performance to make things difficult for Guinea. In terms of scores,Indonesia is indeed inferior, but Coach Shin Tae-yong's children gave maximum performance.
Indonesian defender, Komang Teguh (center), fights for the ball with Guinean midfielder, Issiaga Camara, during the 2024 Olympic playoff match in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, Thursday (9/5/2024).
They were able to record 51 percent ball possession with 312 passes during the 90 minutes of the match. The tight pressing carried out by the Guinean players did not make Garuda Muda give up building attacks with short passes.
Indonesian players, such as Witan and Kelly Sroyer, appeared aggressive and brave in engaging in physical duels with Guinea players. In addition, both of them were also diligent in defending up to the Indonesian defense's final third to close gaps on the defensive wing.
Also read: Falling from Iraq, Indonesia Knocks on the Final Door to the Paris Olympics
Small error
Indonesia also conceded a goal due to a small mistake by Witan who accidentally touched the foot of Guinea's striker, Algassime Bah, who was running to receive a cross pass during a counter-attack in the 28th minute. This situation made the French referee, Francois Letexier, without hesitation point to the penalty spot.
The first clean chance for the National Elephant team was utilized well by the midfielder of Getafe club, Ilaix Moriba, through a penalty kick execution in the 29th minute. Moriba kicked the ball towards the center of the goal, while Indonesian goalkeeper, Ernando Eri, moved to the left side.
At the 73rd minute, Guinea was awarded another penalty after substitute defender Alfeandra Dewangga brought down Bah in a one-on-one situation. This condition made Shin angry enough to open his jacket and take off his hat. He then shouted and protested strongly to the referee.
"Referee. "Ball," said Shin while showing a hand gesture to form a ball after judging that Dewangga was touching the ball, instead of tackling Bah's foot.
That caused Shin to receive two yellow cards within a span of two seconds. Indonesia's protest caused the match to be halted for around four minutes.
Indonesian midfielder, Ivar Jenner (center), fights for the ball with Guinean striker, Ousmane Camara (left), and Guinean midfielder, Aguibou Camara, during the 2024 Olympics playoff match in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, Thursday (9 /5/2024).
However, Bah's penalty hit the Indonesian goal post. In the playoff match, Letexier, who has UEFA elite referee status, did not receive video assistant referee (VAR) facilities due to limited facilities at Clairfontaine. Shin and the Indonesian players' strong protest was witnessed directly by FIFA President Gianni Infantino who watched the match flanked by PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir and President of the Guinean Football Federation Bouba Sampil in the stands.
Guinea had two golden opportunities, one in the 45+5th minute and the other in the 54th minute. In the first half's additional time, Bah faced off against Ernando in a one-on-one challenge after taking the ball from Nathan. However, Bah's shot was blocked by Ernando's leg.
Then, substitute player Alseny Soumah had a crucial opportunity to increase his team's lead when the second half had just started for nine minutes. Soumah's shot, receiving a cross-pass from Bah, in front of Indonesia's goal was still able to be swept away by Nathan in front of the goal line.
Indonesia recorded seven ball possession situations in Guinea's penalty area. Three opportunities were created in the first half through wing penetration that ended with low crosses, but none resulted in shots on target. This is because Guinea's defenders were quick to clear the ball before it could be controlled by Garuda Muda's attacking players, especially Rafael.
Moving on to the second half, Marselino managed to create two opportunities. However, the midfield player from the Belgian club, Deinze, also had his shot blocked by the Gajah Nasional's defenders.
