Facing Iraq, Rizky Ridho Absent From Defending The Indonesian U-23 National Team In Third Place Competition

Indonesian U-23 national team player Wita Sulaeman tried to penetrate the opponent's defense in the match against Uzbekistan in the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Qatar, Monday (30/4/2024). (ANTARA/HO-PSSI)

JAKARTA - The captain of the U-23 Indonesian national team, Rizky Ridho, is confirmed to be absent from defending the team during the Iraqi meeting. This meeting was a crucial match because he fought for third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. Rizky Ridho was forced to miss the match which was held on Thursday, May 2 evening WIB because of the penalty for the red card he received in the match against Uzbekistan in the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, Monday, April 29. The Persija Jakarta defender was sent off in the 82nd minute for violating the president of Uzbekistan, Jasurbek Jalolid Badminton. But the situation was actually a debate considering Rizky Ridho was in a position to block the ball. Meanwhile, Jalolid seemed to be running fast towards Ridho, so that the impact that targeted his opponent's sensitive area was inevitable. This situation made the referee on duty have to check the Asistant Referee (VAR) Video. From the results of the review, the judge indicated that the 22-year-old defender deliberately threw one of his legs into a vital area between the two thighs of Jasurbek Jallid Badminton. Then it was considered very guilty, until the red card was immediately issued by Shen Yinhao, the referee who led the match from China. This situation then forced Indonesia to appear with 10 players in a 1-0 lag. Not long after, Iraq was able to double the advantage to 2-0 through Pratama Arhan's own goal. Even without Ridho in the next match, the troops coached by Shin Tae-yong still have good news after the return of the mainstay striker, Rafael Struick, who was originally hit by a yellow card accumulation. The player who plays in ADO The Hague will certainly be able to strengthen Garuda Muda when he plays Iraq next Thursday, after missing one match in the semifinals. The match for third place is a critical duel for both teams, both Indonesia and Iraq. Because this match is an option for the team that lost in the semifinals to win tickets to the Olympics in Paris 2024. In other words, the team that won the match for third place will immediately get a place to appear in the Olympics. As for the losers, one option remains.

They can still hunt for tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics through the play-offs. On that final line, the U-23 Asian Cup fourth-ranked team will face representatives from the African Football Confederation, Guinea U-23.