Foreign Media Praises The Appearance Of Marselino, Hubner And Jenner After The Indonesia Vs Iraq Match In The 2023 Asian Cup

JAKARTA - The appearance of a number of Indonesian national team players, such as Marselino Ferdinand, Justin Hubner, and Ivar Jenner received appreciation from foreign media, ESPN. This followed their slick performance in the inaugural match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup against Iraq.

The Indonesian vs Iraq national team was presented at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Monday, January 15, 2024 evening WIB. In that match the Garuda Squad swallowed a bitter result because it lost 1-3 to the Mesopotamian Lion.

The only goal that was successfully targeted by the Indonesian national team was a donation from Marselino Ferdinand. The player's success execution in the 37th minute could not be separated from the slick cross from Yakob Sayuri.

Although the Garuda squad lost to Iraq, Marselino's performance in the team turned out to be in the spotlight of ESPN. The source did not even hesitate to call Marselino a brilliant player.

"Even though they lost, Indonesia and some of their brilliant young talents proved that they deserve to be on the biggest stage on this continent (Asian Cup)," ESPN wrote in its article on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

"Currently, there are no brighter talents in the Red-White ranks besides Marselino Ferdinand."

In addition to highlighting the performance of the KMSK Debze player as a star in the match against Iraq, ESPN also discussed the performance of Justin Hubner and Ivar Jenner. The two players were praised for making Indonesia's defensive heart able to reduce Iraq's sharp attack for 75 minutes.

In addition, Jenner, who appears as a midfielder, is able to adjust the rhythm of the game. When he got the ball, Jenner was considered deft in flowing the ball to his colleagues.

Meanwhile, Justin Hubner is considered to have fought hard as a more defensive midfielder. This Wolverhampton Wanderers player made the Iraqi attack from a standstill, although he had often missed the decision.

"He (Marselino) is not the only talented prospect to impress. 20-year-old Ivar Jenner and Justin Hubner offer real presence in midfield," wrote ESPN.

In the match against Iraq, Shin Tae-yong did field eight young players who were still under 23 years old as a starter. In the second half, the coach added more young U-23 talent to the squad.

Despite appearing with young players, the efforts of the Indonesian national team to show themselves that they deserve to be in the 2023 Asian Cup are quite in the spotlight. After fighting hard against Iraq, Asnawi Mangkualam and his friends must prepare against Vietnam.

The second match of Group D will take place at the Abdullah bin Khalifah Stadium on Friday, January 19, 2024, WIB night. The match will be the decisive match for the two teams to qualify for the round of 16.