Shin Tae-yong: If There Is No Second Goal In Iraq, The Indonesian National Team Can Win Or Draw

Marselino Ferdinand, the Indonesian national team's singles goalscorer against Iraq in the inaugural match of Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesia vs Iraq national team match in Group D of the 2023 Asian Cup at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Monday, January 15, 2024, gave birth to controversy.

Iraq's second goal scored by Osama Rashid in first-half injury time was very controversial. You see, before the goal was created, another Iraqi player, Mohanad Ali, went offside first.

However, the referee from Uzbekistan, Ilgiz Tantashev, thought the goal was legal.

The goal clearly undermined the mentality of the Indonesian national team players who were on the rise after scoring a 1-1 equalizer goal through Marselino Ferdinand in the 37th minute.

Shin Tae-yong, the coach of the Indonesian national team, assessed that without the presence of Iraq's second goal, the Garuda Squad had a chance to end the match with a different score.

"We know, Iraq is strong against it. If there is no second goal that is the referee's fault, we have a chance."

"Yes, Iraq is stronger than us, but we might be in a draw or even win (if there is no second goal in Iraq)," said Shin Tae-yong after the match.

As is known, Iraq took the lead through Mohanad Ali in the 17th minute. The spirit of never giving up made the Garuda Squad equalize 1-1 in the 37th minute.

Marcelino Ferdinand's goal burned the motivation of Shin Tae-yong's team. The player's determination immediately increased.

However, at the end of the first half, the controversial goal was born. The controversial goal originated from Osama Rashid's cross from inside the penalty box.

Mohanad Ali grabbed the bait with a header and was pushed over by Ernando Ari Sutaryadi. However, Mohanad Ali's position when he met the bait was already in an offside position.

However, the referee did not blow the whistle as well as the linesman. The game continued and the wild ball was secured by Ali Jasim. He fired a shot which was actually pushed over again by Ernando.

Unfortunately, the ball vomited immediately by Osama Rashid in front of the Indonesian goal.

Although Rashid's goal was legal, Mohanad Ali's previous chance which was considered offside did not stop the match.

The goal made the mentality of the Indonesian national team players fall. In the second half, the Garuda Squad had difficulty catching up.

In fact, the Indonesian national team conceded again in the 75th minute through Aymen Hussein.