Eliminating U23 Korea, U23 Indonesia made a miracle to reach the semi-finals of U23 Asia

After 2 victories in the group stage, U23 Indonesia’s strength is still questioned. In the quarterfinals, coach Shin Tae-yong’s team shattered all doubts with an impressive performance against an opponent considered one of the championship candidates. Playing excellently, plus the element of luck, the island team created the biggest surprise of the tournament.

U23 Indonesia escaped defeat in the first minutes of the match when VAR helped the referee detect the Korean player’s offside error. After that, the Southeast Asian representative dominated the midfield area, organizing face-to-face attacks based on the chemistry of the duo Rafael Struick and Marselino Ferdinan.

U23 Korea 2-2 U23 Indonesia (shootout: 11-10)

In the 15th minute, Indonesia opened the score after Struick’s superb shot from outside the restricted area. By the 32nd minute, U23 Indonesia continued to have good coordination between the siege of the Korean defense. Struick’s backheel opens up space for Marselino. However, number 7 missed the mark.

On the other side of the front line, U23 Korea’s attack was deadlocked and could only find opportunities from high ball situations. After the goal was stripped in the 8th minute, the East Asia representative had to rely on a lucky play in the 45th minute to equalize. The Korean player’s header hit Komang Teguh and changed direction, causing goalkeeper Ernando to give up.

U23 Korea slowed down, waiting for the referee’s whistle. However, surprise happened again. At minute 45+3, Lee Kang-hee carelessly covered the ball, creating an opportunity for Struick to pass and finish, increasing the score to 2-1 for Indonesia.

The first half ended with unbelievable statistics. U32 Indonesia held the ball 52%, shot 7 times, 3 on target, while Korea only had one shot.

U23 Indonesia played well against U23 Korea and won deservedly. (Photo: AFC)

In the second half, the initiative still belonged to Indonesia. The Korean players’ attack was deadlocked, and they even lost their main striker, Lee Young-jun, due to a red card. With 10 people on the field, U23 Korea defended tenaciously and only needed one chance to equalize 2-2. 5 Indonesian players retreated but could not prevent Jeong Sang-bin from escaping, placing his heart on Ernando.

U23 Indonesia has an advantage over others but cannot take advantage of it to score more goals, because all the links on the field are exhausted. The two teams tied 2-2 in extra time, then had to decide the winner by a penalty shootout.

The penalty shootout lasted until the 12th shot. Ernando excellently blocked 2 shots, thereby helping U23 Indonesia win a ticket to the semi-finals with a score of 11-10. Coach Shin Tae-yong and his team are close to qualifying for the Olympics. If they win third place or higher, U23 Indonesia will have a direct ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. If they finish 4th, U23 Indonesia will have to play another intercontinental play-off match with U23 Guinea.

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