Defeat Japan, Indonesian National Team Wins AFC EAsian Cup 2023

The Indonesian eFootball national team won the 2023 AFC eAsian Cup (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian eFootball national team managed to win the 2023 AFC eAsian Cup. The title was won after the team successfully defeated Japan in the final round.

Appearing at the Virtuocity Arena Doha, Qatar, on Monday, February 5, 2024 in the morning WIB, Indonesia won with a final score of 2-0. Strengthened by Elga Cahya Putra, Rizky Faidan, and Akbar Paudie Indonesia had to find two wins first before confirming the title.

Indonesia, which fielded Elga and Faidan, beat the Blue Samurai team in the first leg through a sudden death penalty 3-2 after playing 1-1 until extra time. Then the Red-White Team confirmed victory with 1-0 in the second leg.

This meeting with Japan is the second time in a tournament, after the two had defeated each other in the group stage in Group D.

The first half of the first leg was tight so there were no goals created even though Indonesia had a 60 percent possession percentage.

Indonesian then won 1-0 in the 70th minute. This happened thanks to a gastric bait from Pratama Arhan received by Hokky Caraka which was then passed and executed nicely by Ramadhan Sananta.

However, at the end of the second half Indonesia conceded. Japan tore the goal for the Red-White team to equalize 1-1.

The two teams were unable to take advantage of the additional time until the match had to go through penalties. Indonesia, which started the penalty, took the lead on the first chance when Japan failed to score.

Penalti was tough when both teams scored 2-2 on the five occasions given. Sudden death penalty must be played.

Indonesia was confirmed to secure the first leg on penalties 3-2 after Japan failed to score on the sixth occasion.

The match was fierce again in the second leg because Indonesia did not allow Japan to develop their game. Likewise, Japan is very wary of every Indonesian movement.

Again, the game had to go through extra time. A free kick in the 100th minute from Dimas Drajad gave Indonesia a 1-0 lead.

The Red-White squad finally won the game when Japan had no answer to Elga and Faidan's toughness until extra time was over.

Thus, Indonesia succeeded in establishing itself as the champion of the 2023 AFC eAsian Cup, as well as being the first team to win the Asian Cup eFootball tournament.