Ernando Ari: We Want To Win!

Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, goalkeeper of Indonesia U-23 (doc. AFC).

JAKARTA - Indonesia U-23 will meet Uzbekistan U-23 in the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Monday, April 29, 2024.

The achievement of breaking into the top four in his debut in the U-23 Asian Cup is history for Indonesia U-23.

Now, they are looking at the automatic ticket hunt for the 2024 Paris Olympics. In order to be able to appear in France, Garuda Muda must occupy the minimum third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Seeing that opportunity, high targets are now being carried by Shin Tae-yong's troops. They not only want to stand in the top three, but to become champions.

One of these ambitions was echoed by goalkeeper Ernando Ari Sutaryadi.

"I just want to say that we have to continue our journey. This is not the end. We want to be champions," said Ernando after bringing Indonesia U-23 to the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Ernando Ari became the hero of Garuda Muda when he beat South Korea U-23 in the quarter-finals. The two blocks on penalties made Indonesia U-23 win 11-10 after the match ended 2-2 until the extra round.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper revealed that Indonesia U-23's key to success in making history is mutual trust built in the team.

Trust in teammates and players to the coach and vice versa is very thick.

This factor also makes Indonesia U-23 dare to launch a higher target. In fact, they have exceeded the target set by PSSI.

Previously, it was known that the federation targeted Indonesia U-23 to only pass the group phase, aka the quarter-finals.

"We trust each other in terms of penalty shootouts. I have practiced in training and when it was my turn, I only focused (achieved) the target," said Ernando.