The Indonesian national team took their suitcases from the 2023 Asian Cup. This is the journey of the Garuda squad in this event, which made new history.
Indonesia will appear in the 2023 Asian Cup after finishing runner up in qualifying. Shin Tae-yong’s men finished second behind Jordan in Group A in qualifying in 2022.
In the final round, Indonesia was then joined in Group D. The Red and White Team had to compete with Japan, Iraq and Vietnam.
Indonesia came to the 2023 Asian Cup bringing a number of hereditary players. Apart from Elkan Baggott and Jordi Amat, four additional ammunition arrived, namely Sandy Walsh, Justin Hubner, Rafael Struick and Ivar Jenner.
The high target was then set by STY. The coach from South Korea is determined to qualify for the last 16.
Group Phase
In the group phase, the Indonesian national team started competition in Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup against Iraq. Playing at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, January 15 2024, Asnawi Mangkualam et al were beaten by Iraq 1-3.
Iraq’s goals were scored by Mohanad Ali, Osama Rashid and Aymen Hussein. Meanwhile, Indonesia only responded through Marselino Ferdinan’s goal.
Indonesia’s second match was then against Vietnam on (19/1). The rival from Southeast Asia was defeated with a score of 1-0.
Asnawi Mangkualam’s penalty ensured Indonesia won three points. Crucial numbers that helped ensure Indonesia qualified for the last 16.
In the last match, Indonesia then had to lose to the giant, Japan, (24/1). Indonesia lost again 1-3, and its position was threatened.
Luckily, Indonesia still qualified for the round of 16 via the best third place ranking. Indonesia finished fourth in the standings of the best third ranked teams along with Jordan, Palestine and Syria.
Indonesia’s certainty for the top 16 was determined by a draw between Kyrgyzstan vs Oman 1-1. The two were evenly matched so that Oman could not overtake Indonesia’s position in the standings for the best third ranked team, and had to settle for finishing fifth.
Qualifying for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup is new history for the Indonesian national team. Because, Indonesia could only get stuck in the group phase in the previous four editions in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2007.
Round of 16
In the round of 16, Indonesia faced giants again. Australia, who won the 2015 edition, played at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Al Rayyan, Sunday (28/1/2024).
In that match, Indonesia lost badly to Australia. Ernando Ari Sutaryadi’s goal was broken four times, each time by Elkan Baggott’s suicide, then by Martin Boyle, Craig Goodwin and Harry Souttar.
This defeat made Indonesia end its work in the 2023 Asian Cup. Indonesia stopped in the round of 16, which would have been a new history for the Red and White team.
Throughout the 2023 Asian Cup, the Indonesian National Team scored 3 goals and conceded 10 times. Indonesia’s defense record is the worst, because Indonesia has never conceded that many goals in the previous four editions.
