The Sweet Story of the Indonesian National Team and the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium can be a silent witness to the steps of the Indonesian U-23 Team to penetrate the Paris Olympics.

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Indonesia U-23 midfielder, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, engages in an aerial battle with Australian winger, Adria Segecic, in the Group A match of the 2024 Asia U-23 Cup on Thursday (18/4/2024), at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. Indonesia will face Jordan in the third Group A match at the same venue on Sunday (21/4/2024).

Once again, the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, has become a football arena which holds magic for the Indonesian National Team. If the Indonesian senior team ensures history by reaching the knockout phase of the 2023 Asian Cup for the first time at that stadium, that luck will also spread to the Indonesian U-23 team at the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup .

After suffering a painful and controversial defeat in the opening match of the 2024 U-23 Asia Cup against Qatar, Indonesia rose to defeat one of the championship favorites, Australia, 1-0 at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday (18/4/2024). The single goal, a header from central defender Komang Teguh in the 45th minute, ensured the "Young Garuda" squad earned three points.

Also read: Saving Penalty, Ernando Ari Praised by Shin Tae-yong and Tony Vidmar

In January, Indonesia also achieved an important victory of 1-0 against Vietnam in the qualifying round of the 2023 Asian Cup. This result put an end to Indonesia's poor record against Southeast Asian rivals. Thanks to that victory, Indonesia opened the way to qualify for the knockout phase of the Asian Cup for the first time.

I feel fortunate in this stadium. I also told the players that if they are confident, the atmosphere and luck (in the game) will come to us.

Indonesia's dream to advance to the knockout stage of the Asia Cup was also determined at that stadium. It was not Indonesia's game being played, but the draw of 1-1 in the Oman vs Kyrgyzstan match. With that draw, Kyrgyzstan eliminated Oman while also helping Indonesia secure the last spot for the third-best position.

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The silhouette of Indonesia's center-back and captain, Rizky Ridho, during the Group A match of the 2024 U-23 Asia Cup against Australia on Thursday (18/4/2024) at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. Indonesia will face Jordan in their third Group A match at the same venue on Sunday (21/4/2024).

Indonesia coach Shin Tae-yong said that Indonesia's crucial victory over Vietnam left a deep impression on him about the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. "I feel lucky in this stadium. I also told the players, if you are confident, the atmosphere and luck (in the game) will come to us," said Shin after the match.

Not only did Shin lead the team to victory, he was also able to bring two Indonesian squads to play without conceding a goal at the stadium owned by Qatar League club, Al Duhail. In those two matches, Ernando Ari guarded Indonesia's goal.

Also read: Indonesia vs Australia, a rare victory for "Garuda Muda"

Ernando performed brilliantly by making three saves to help Indonesia defeat Vietnam in the 2023 Asian Cup. Furthermore, the goalkeeper from Persebaya Surabaya also made four saves, including blocking a penalty kick by Australian striker Mohamed Toure in the 25th minute.

In those two matches, both Indonesian teams played calmly and flawlessly in the stadium with a capacity of around 10,000 spectators. This performance helped them secure important victories. What's even more impressive, Indonesia U-23 also recorded their first victory in their debut participation in the U-23 Asian Cup.

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Indonesia U-23 coach Shin Tae-yong is holding a note book while observing the performance of his players during their match against Australia in Group A of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup on Thursday (18/4/2024) at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

Praise for the performance of the Garuda Muda squad was conveyed by the Chairman of the PSSI, Erick Thohir. According to Erick, Rafael Struick and his friends showed a fighting spirit and great effort that deserved commendation for their important victory over Australia.

"I appreciate and am proud of the children's performance in the game. They were not only able to bounce back from the defeat in the first match, but also played with full spirit. That is what all of us, as the lovers of the national team in Indonesia, want," said Erick in his statement as reported by the PSSI website.

Also read: Shin Tae-yong: Cheating Happened Since We Went To The Stadium

Four games

After achieving impressive results against Australia, Indonesia's fate in meeting the target for the Paris 2024 Olympics will also be determined at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. Indonesia will play a minimum of three matches at the stadium located in the Duhail District in Doha.

Garuda Muda's continued efforts to maintain its hopes of reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics will begin by facing Jordan in the final match of Group A. In the match which will take place at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Sunday (21/4/2024) at 22.30 WIB, Indonesia only needs a draw. to seal a ticket to the quarter-finals with the title runner-up Group A.

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Indonesia's central defender, Muhammad Ferrari, shadowed Australia's attacker, Garang Kuol, during the Group A match of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup on Thursday (18/4/2024) at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

If the progression to the knockout phase materializes, Indonesia will face the quarter-finals at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium as well. Garuda Muda's potential opponent will be the first-ranked team from Group B, which could be occupied by either South Korea or Japan.

"If I could choose, I would rather face Japan (in the quarter-finals)," said Shin.

Also read: Controversial Referee, PSSI Files Protest to AFC

Then, if Indonesia goes further, the semifinal match will also be held again at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium located in the Qatar police complex. The stadium will conclude its duty in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup by hosting the third-place playoff, which brings together two defeated teams in the semifinals and also the last automatic ticket for an Asian representative in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

May the sweet story between Indonesia and the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium continue until the Garuda Muda secure a place in Paris. Hopefully...