JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, revealed that his team's chance for the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup final is wide open.
He stated this after defeating South Korea U-23 in the quarter-finals at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Friday, April 26, 2024, with a penalty victory of 11-10 (2-2).
Facing a team that is superior is clearly not an easy task. However, in fact, Garuda Muda can send the Warriors home from the tournament faster. Shin later called this achievement a moment of boosting the team's self-confidence.
Seeing the self-confidence that has flowed, Shin is not awkward to discuss the chances of his team advancing to the top party. He mentioned that the possibility to win in the semifinals is still open to Indonesia U-23.
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"This (beat South Korea U-23) gave us confidence. We were able to reach the top four," Shin Tae-yong said in a press conference after the match on Friday, April 26, 2024.
"I can't say that we can't win the championship. Obviously, we can reach the final," he said again.
The victory achieved by the U-23 Indonesian national team over South Korea U-23 in the quarter-finals was the result of hard efforts and struggles.
Shin Tae-yong further immediately looked at the semifinal match. According to him, the struggle of his team is not over because the top four parties will meet an increasingly tough opponent.
Saudi Arabia U-23 and Uzbekistan U-23 will be potential opponents in the semifinals. Both are strong teams of candidates for the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
In fact, both teams were finalists in the previous edition, the 2022 U-23 Asian Cup. At that time, Saudi Arabia U-23 won in the final with a score of 2-0.
Uzbekistan U-23 also won the 2018 U-23 Asian Cup edition by beating Vietnam U-23 in the 2-1 final.
In addition to achieving the titles of both teams, Saudi Arabia U-23 and Uzbekistan U-23 are also experienced teams. Both have never been absent from the U-23 Asian Cup since it was first held in 2013. This means that this year's participation is the sixth.
Although the potential opponent is quite classy and superior, Shin Tae-yong does not want to be inferior. He promised to prepare Indonesia U-23 to make another surprise again.
"We have to get results. We have one day to recover. I will watch the two teams' matches and find out what to do and how to do it," said Shin Tae-yong.
"I know about Saudi Arabia U-23 because we did a test match in Dubai. However, I don't know anything about Uzbekistan U-23. So, I will see and think about it," said the 53-year-old coach.
Saudi Arabia U-23 vs Uzbekistan U-23 will be held at the Khalifa International Stadium on April 26, 2024.
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