Australian U-23 Coach Akui Ernando Ari Becomes Actor In His Team's Defeat

JAKARTA - Australia U-23 must recognize Indonesia U-23's superiority in the second match of Group A of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Olyroos lost 0-1 to Garuda Muda.

The head coach of Australia U-23, Tony Vidmar, agrees that the action of the Indonesia U-23 goalkeeper, Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, was a factor in the defeat of his team.

Vidmar admitted that his troops were immediately frustrated after Ernando's brilliant save which saved Mohamed Toure's penalty in the 25th minute.

"I think overall we played well, we played very good football. You scored that penalty so the game definitely turned out to be in our favor. That gave them a boost," Vidmar said on the AFC official website.

Ernando's rescue made the U-23 Indonesian national team's spirit even higher. Garuda Muda's defense is getting stronger and fighting tirelessly to stem the Australian U-23 attack.

Ernando's solid defense and heroic action throughout the match made Olyroos even more frustrated. Especially when conditions fell 0-1 after Komang Teguh's goal in the 45th minute.

Various raw opportunities. As many as 21 shots, four of them on target, failed to produce goals until the end of the match.

"We can't take advantage of our chances. We created chances, but their goalkeepers performed an incredible game."

"They are trying hard with everything in defense. It makes our players frustrated. However, I can't blame the way we played," Vidmar said again.

Previously, Vidmar admitted that his team had difficulty fighting the team with good defense and being well organized.

He made this statement after failing to break into the Jordan U-23 goal in the inaugural Group A match.

The match against Indonesia U-23 again proves that a strong defense is a scourge for Australia U-23, especially since there is a slick action by Ernando.

The creation and settlement of chances against the team with good defense is still Australia's U-23 homework.

If the problem has not been resolved when we meet Qatar U-23 in the last match of Group A, Australia U-23, we cannot hope to win. "We need a little quality and calm, have peace. Sometimes we try to hit him too hard, we have to pass him or reduce his energy," said Vidmar.

Australia U-23 is on the brink. They are at the bottom of the Group A standings with one point from two matches.

Opportunities for qualifying for the knockout stages are running low. The only way to keep the chance to the quarter-finals is to win against Qatar U-23 while hoping Indonesia U-23 slips.