Shin Tae-yong Appreciates Indonesia U-23 Struggle

JAKARTA - Indonesia U-23 has agreed to a defeat to Iraq U-23 in the race for third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

In the match which was held at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Thursday, May 2, 2024, Garuda Muda lost 1-2 to the Mesopotamian Lion.

The defeat means that Indonesia U-23 failed to win a ticket directly to the 2024 Paris Olympics. You see, the direct route to France was only obtained by the three best of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

However, there is still one more chance to get a last ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics, namely through the playoff between confederations.

Indonesia as the fourth rank of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup will meet Guinea U-23 which occupies the fourth place of the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup.

Because he still has his last chance to go to Paris, Shin Tae-yong does not hesitate to stay optimistic.

"Congratulations to Iraq U-23 who advanced to the Olympics (Paris 2024). Yes, this is certainly an unfortunate result. We have done our best."

"We still have one more chance to go to the Olympics. I will try my best to take advantage of the last opportunity to go to the Olympics. My hope is that four Asian teams will participate in the Olympics," said Shin Tae-yong.

This optimism made Shin Tae-yong shift his focus to the 2024 Paris Olympics Qualification playoffs.

He also wanted his team to forget about the defeat to Iraq U-23. The South Korean coach inspired Garuda Muda and appreciated his performance in the third place. "Both teams fought hard to get third place and tickets to the Olympics. Both teams did very well and worked hard."

"Let me thank my team, my players, for their great efforts in the game."

"I have to do well (the match against Guinea U-23). The players are very tired, they are really tired." "About two or three days we only focused on recovery. I wouldn't even let the players touch the ball."

"After that, we have three or four days to do some tactical training and analyze our opponents," said Shin Tae-yong.

Indonesia U-23 lost in the extension round against Iraq U-23 despite having taken the lead through Ivar Jenner's goal in the 19th minute.

However, Iraq U-23 managed to make a comeback at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday, May 2, 2024. They equalized through Zaid Tahseen's goal (27') and scored a winning goal in the 96th minute contributed by Ali Jasim.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia U-23 vs Guinea U-23 match in the 2024 Pari Olympics Qualification playoffs will be presented at the National Du Football Stadium, France, on Thursday, May 9, 2024.