Achievements of the U-23 National Team, Garuda Muda's achievements were not magic overnight
In a first in history, the Indonesian U-23 national team ensured that they would qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
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By
VINCENTIUS GITIYARKO
·5 minutes read
PSSI
The celebration of Witan Sulaeman after scoring his second goal in the Group A match of the 2024 U-23 Asia Cup between Jordan and Indonesia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Sunday (21/4/2024).
In the traditional folklore passed down from generation to generation, it is told that Bandung Bondowoso built a thousand temples. Allegedly, with his magical powers, he managed to build a thousand temples overnight. Only one temple was left unfinished when the rooster crowed.
Last night's magical story seemed to be repeated by the Indonesia national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. Sunday (21/4/2024) tonight, ”Young Garuda” crushed Jordan with a score of 4-1. This result made Rizki Ridho and his friends ensure that they would qualify for the quarter-finals even though they were debutants, meaning they were appearing in this competition for the first time.
If we go back to the story of Bondowoso, regardless of its authenticity, the tale appears to be a magic trick and sorcery performed in a single night. However, from another perspective, someone with a high level of powers should first go through lengthy training and meditation.
In this way, the history made by the Indonesian national team U-23 is not a miracle that happened overnight. On the contrary, this achievement needs to be interpreted as the fruit of the building of business and hard work that has been initiated by Garuda Muda.
The history that was carved by the U-23 national team at the Asian Cup this time did not actually start with a sweet story. In the first match, Indonesia lost with a score of 0-2 to hosts Qatar. The match was marked by two red cards received by Indonesian players, namely Ivar Jenner and Ramadhan Sananta.
The public's response in Indonesia was quite strong at the time in highlighting the leadership of referee Nasrullo Kabirov, which was considered to have harmed Indonesia. However, the Garuda Muda team appeared to be on par with Qatar in terms of gameplay. Statistically, ball possession reached 57 percent with a greater number and accuracy of passes.
However, that defeat apparently did not diminish Indonesia's spirit. In the second match, a sweet story began. Indonesia beat Australia with a score of 1-0. Indonesia's style of play changed slightly. They did not dominate the ball, as the players tended to be disciplined in the midfield and defense.
Amidst the discipline in guarding their own area, Indonesia instead managed to score a goal at the end of the first half. Nathan Tjoe-A-On's shot received a corner kick service, immediately headed by Komang Teguh to direct the ball towards Australia's goal. The score remained 1-0 until the end of the match.
The sweet story continues and at the same time fulfills Indonesia's hope to step into the knockout stage. In the third match against Jordan, a confident Garuda Muda won with a score of 4-1. Interestingly, Indonesia's playing scheme changed compared to when they played against Australia.
In this match, Indonesia displayed an aggressive approach from the beginning. Jordan seemed to have underestimated this scheme, leading to an open game that left gaps in their defense line.
This situation was utilized well by Marselino Ferdinan, Witan Sulaeman, and Rafael Struick as the trident that dismantled Jordan's defense.
As a result, Indonesia took a two-goal lead in the first half after Marselino scored a penalty in the 23rd minute and Witan's strike in the 40th minute. Indonesia's success in maintaining the tempo of the game continued into the second half. Marselino added to their lead with a deflected shot in the 70th minute.
Trailing by three goals, Jordan increased the intensity of their attacks. Justin Hubner once mistakenly anticipated a shot from a Jordanian player, resulting in an own goal. The score changed to 3-1 in the 79th minute.
However, Indonesia did not lose focus and instead added a goal in the 86th minute through Komang Teguh's header, taking advantage of Pratama Arhan's throw-in that immediately pierced through the opponent's defense. The score ended 4-1 for Indonesia's victory.
This new history of the U-23 national team complements the achievements of Indonesian football which is currently on the rise. In early April 2024, FIFA noted that Indonesia's ranking experienced the most significant increase compared to other countries. Indonesia rose eight positions to 134th.
Now, it is becoming more exceptional to see Australia and Jordan's rankings that have just been defeated, being relatively far above Indonesia. Jordan's men's football is ranked 71st in the world, while Australia is ranked 24th. This means that the inferiority of FIFA rankings has been successfully overcome by Garuda Muda.
If we step back a little further, the U-23 National Team is indeed trending upwards. Throughout the year 2023 and the first four months of 2024, Garuda Muda has played in 13 official matches.
From those several matches, Indonesia won seven times and lost five times. One match ended in a draw during the normal time against Vietnam in the final match of the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup.
Several noteworthy victories, besides the two recent wins against Australia and Jordan, include the success of defeating China Taipei with a score of 9-0 in the U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. In addition, the U-23 national team also managed to beat Kyrgyzstan with a score of 2-0 in the Asian Games.
PSSI
The Indonesian U-23 team is gathering before starting official training at the Qatar University Training Center, Doha, Wednesday (17/4/2024).
In football, skill and mentality on the gridiron are certainly key. However, behind that the preparation and training before the match cannot be underestimated. Hard work and discipline have been things that Shin Tae Yong has preached since the beginning of his coaching period.
The South Korean coach once said, "The players must always work hard, be focused, disciplined, and have good physical and mental conditions." (Kompas.com, 6/2/2021).
This expression arose from his concern in assessing the work ethics that are still lacking in the players during the early days of coaching, including being too relaxed when entering the training field and being late.
The positive results achieved by Indonesia today appear to be the fruit of discipline and hard work that have been continuously nurtured. At the Southeast Asian level, the senior Indonesian national team also showed their unity by defeating the Vietnamese national team twice in the World Cup qualifying match recently.
It is not impossible that the history that Garuda Muda has made in the U-23 Asia Cup this year will be followed by higher achievements in Indonesian football.
One of them is the hope of appearing in the World Cup for the first time. Surely, it is not a magic trick that can happen overnight, but rather needs to be continuously built on the foundation of discipline and hard work that takes a long time. (KOMPAS RESEARCH)
