Rafael Struick Hars Absent In The 2024 U-23 Asian Cup Semifinals

JAKARTA - Rafael Struick became one of the influential players in the U-23 Indonesian national team's victory over South Korea U-23. He scored a brace for Garuda Muda in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals.

However, in the match at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Friday, April 26, 2024, early morning WIB, Struick got a yellow card which made him have to miss the semifinals due to accumulation sanctions. Rafael Struick became the only contributor to the U-23 Indonesian national team goal. The 21-year-old scored a brace in the 15th and 45+3 minutes.

However, after his first goal, Struick was shown a yellow card in the 20th minute. The referee warned him of violating Ji-sung quite hard.

The yellow card is the second yellow card Struick got in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. Previously, he had received a yellow card at the duel against Jordan U-23 in the group stage.

Based on the regulations applied, no card bleaching was obtained in the group phase when they managed to qualify for the knockout stages. As a result, the decision made Struick have to miss the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup semifinals.

Even though they were forced to miss, Struick's struggle in the quarter-finals was something to appreciate.

Moreover, he was also one of the players who completed his duties perfectly in the penalty shootout round which was won by the U-23 Indonesian national team with a score of 11-10.

Despite Struick's absence, the team must return to focus for the better game. The reason is, the U-23 Indonesian national team will face the winner of the match between Uzbekistan U-23 vs Saudi Arabia U-23 in the semifinals which will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024.