Defeating Australia, Indonesia opens up opportunities to reach the quarter-finals of the U-23 Asian Cup

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – The Indonesian U-23 national team opened up the opportunity to qualify for the next round after beating Australia 1-0 in group A of the U-23 Asian Cup, Thursday (18/4/2024), at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar.

Australia actually had a golden opportunity to score a goal. However, Mohamed Toure's penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Ernando Ari. The referee pointed to the penalty spot after seeing the VAR and confirmed that Komang Teguh was holding the ball with his hand.

Indonesia then ensured their lead through a goal from defender Komang Teguh. He headed Nathan Tjeo-A-On's pass. The brilliant game shown by goalkeeper Ernando Ari also determined Indonesia to get points this time.

This victory gave Indonesia the opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals of this championship. Witan Sulaeman and friends are now in second place with three points. This number is the same as hosts Qatar who beat Indonesia in the first match.

Qatar will only play their second match against Jordan on Thursday (18/4/2023) starting at 22.30 WIB. Meanwhile, Australia is now in fourth place in Group A with a collection of one point from a draw in the first match against Jordan.

Indonesia immediately kicked off with an attack from the right side created by Witan Sulaeman. He then fired a pass to Jeam Sroyer who was standing in front of the goal. The Persik Kediri striker then fired a right foot kick, but it deviated from the target.

In the 16th minute, Indonesia had a golden opportunity thanks to Rafael Struick's kick. He fired a kick from outside the penalty box. However, the ball executed by this Dutch-born player only deviated slightly from the goal.

In the 21st minute, Australian striker Mohamed Toure created a chance. He fired a hard kick from outside the penalty box. However, it failed to produce a goal because it hit the Indonesian player's body.

The referee then looked at VAR to rule out a possible penalty because Toure's kick touched Komang Teguh's hand. The referee then awarded a penalty to Australia.
Toure stepped forward as executor. However, the kick from the player of Liberian descent, who was born in a refugee camp in Guinea, was saved by goalkeeper Ernando Ari. Australia created another opportunity by creating chaos in front of the Indonesian goal. The Indonesian players' hard work succeeded in thwarting the Australian attack.

In the 30th minute, Nathan Tjeo-A-On created a chance from a free kick. However, the Indonesian players failed to use his pass to the goal mouth. Moments later, Rizky Ridho managed to block Toure's golden opportunity so that it bounced into the goal.

Indonesia got a chance from a corner kick. Witan Suleman's shot was then thrown away by an Australian player, but went to Nathan Tjoe-A-On who made a pass and was headed by Komang Teguh and went into the Australian goal in the 45th minute.

Australia started the second half by creating opportunities from the left wing. However, their players' efforts failed to produce results because the ball was secured by goalkeeper Ernando Ari.

Australia then succeeded in taking a corner kick. However, the Australian players failed to take advantage of this situation to create opportunities because the Indonesian players managed to throw the ball away.

In the 48th minute, Indonesian player Arhan Pratama had to receive treatment because he collided with Australian player Jacob Italiano.

Australia continued to try to attack Indonesia's defense to equalize. In the 51st minute, Australia almost scored. Tiure managed to shoot at goal, but it was pushed over by Ernando Ari and the ball was thrown away by Rizky Ridho.

In the 64th minute, Australia almost equalized. Toure managed to pass the pass into the goalmouth. However, Jake Hollman, who Toure was targeting, failed to control the ball so that the Indonesian goal was saved from his attack.

Australia then continued to attack Indonesia's defenses. However, Australia always failed to take advantage of opportunities.

On one occasion Indonesia also succeeded in counterattacking. However, the Australian goalkeeper was quicker to win the ball so Witan Sulaiman could not score.

Komang Teguh had to be stretchered off the field due to injury. He was then replaced by Ikhsan Nul Zikrak in the 83rd minute.

In the 86th minute, Australia again caused chaos in front of the Indonesian goal. However, Tony Vidmar's troops still failed to score a goal. Once again, goalkeeper Ernando Ari played an important role in preventing the goal from being conceded.

Australia's Lachlan Brook got a chance with a header in the 90th minute. However, before heading the ball he fouled Justin Hubner.

In the last minutes, Indonesia got a golden opportunity. Nathan Tjoe-A-On had a chance after penetrating the defense from the left side. He then made a pass to Marselino Ferdinand. However, the Deinze player's shot was blocked by the opponent.

In the final minutes, Australia almost scored. However, their efforts were thwarted by Indonesian players. The 1-0 score for Indonesia lasted until the match was over.

The two teams will continue their action in the final match of the Group A preliminary round on Sunday (21/4/2024) simultaneously starting at 22.30 WIB. Indonesia will meet Jordan at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. Meanwhile, Australia will meet hosts Qatar at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Champion and runner-up the group got a ticket to the quarterfinals. Group A winners will meet Runner-up group B. Temporary runner-up Group A will meet the winner of Group B.

Indonesia started its action in the U-23 Asian Cup with very unsatisfactory results. They gave up 0-2 against hosts Qatar. Indonesia was also disappointed because two of its players, namely Ivar Jenner and Ramadhan Sananta, were sent off by the referee.

Lineup:
Indonesia U-23 (5-3-2): 21 Ernando Ari; 3 Muhammad Ferrari, 4 Komang Teguh, 5 Rizky Ridho; 23 Nathan Tjoe-A-On, 11 Rafael Struick, 8 Witan Sulaeman, 7 Marselino Ferdinan, 12 Pratama Arhan; 14 Fajar Fathur Rahman (Rio Fahmi 77), 15 Jeam Kelly Sroyer (Justin Hubner)

Australia U-23 (4-4-2): 12 Patrick Beach; 3 Alexander Popovic, 4 Jordan Courtney-Perkins, 17 Jacob Italiano, 23 Lucas Mauragis; 6 Ryan Teague, 8 Keegan Jelacic (16 Jordi Valadon), 10 Jake Hollman (22 Garang Kuol 75), 21 Adrian Segecic (7 Lachlan Brook 60); 11 Nishan Vellupillay (14 Nicolas Milanovic 75), 19 Mohamed Toure (9 Alou Kuol 75)