Nathan Tjoe-A-On: Our Game As An Extraordinary Team
JAKARTA - Indonesia U-23 successfully stepped into the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup after becoming runners-up in Group A with a collection of six points from three matches.
The certainty of the ticket to the knockout round was obtained by Garuda Muda after overthrowing Jordan with a landslide score of 4-1 on April 21, 2024.
This achievement made Indonesia U-23 make history, the debut team and immediately qualified for the knockout round.
Nathan Tjoe-A-On is one of the keys that has contributed to bringing Garuda Muda to the knockout stages. Even though he did not donate goals or assists, his role in midfield replacing Ivar Jenner made the team's game live.
He also expressed his happiness after successfully bringing the team to the target of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Nathan continued to ground that the score was the hard work of the team.
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"We did very well. Right, before the game we just needed a draw (against Jordan U-23), but we played like a team that needed a win."
"We show that, the intensity, strength, with our game as a team. We are extraordinary. I am happy with the performance of me and the team, of course with good results," said Nathan.
Unfortunately, Nathan Tjoe-A-On is most likely unable to defend Indonesia U-23 in the quarter-finals against South Korea on April 25, 2024.
He had to return to his club, SC Heerenveen, due to limited permits.
Nathan's arrival at Garuda Muda was full of drama. He was only allowed by Heerenveen to join Indonesia U-23 in the final minute.
However, PSSI's lobbying with Heerenveen gave birth to an agreement that Nathan could only defend Indonesia U-23 until he reached the quarter-final target.
After Garuda Muda qualified for the knockout stages, Nathan Tjoe-A-On had to return to Heerenveen.
Meanwhile, previously PSSI had targeted Indonesia U-23 to reach the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
However, Shin Tae-yong has a higher personal target, which is to touch the semifinals. He put forward the target for the opportunity to get a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.