One Step Again The U-23 Indonesian National Team!

The U-23 Indonesian national team only needs a draw against Turkmenistan to make history in the U-23 Asian Cup. (Photo: Twitter/@TimnasIndonesia)

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team will face Turkmenistan in the match to determine the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers Group K. The Garuda Muda squad is on the verge of history.

The U-23 national team now sits as the leader of Group K of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers with three points, ahead of the goal difference from Turkmenistan who are in second place with the same points.

If you win or at least get a draw, it will be the first time the U-23 national team has qualified for the U-23 Asian Cup finals since it was first rolled out in 2012.

"So we must win tomorrow, and we qualify for the April U-23 Asian Cup next year (April 15-3 May in Qatar)," said U-23 Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong.

Shin admitted that he had seen the game of Turkmenistan when he crushed Taiwan with a score of 4-0 in the first match. He said the Turkmenistan game was not so scary.

However, the South Korean coach did not want his team to be careless.

"I watched the first match. It didn't look so strong, but last year Turkmenistan had a good result," Shin said, as reported by Antara.

"The Iranian opponent won (2-1 in the group phase) and the top eight lost against Australia 0-1. But the head coach was the same, so we shouldn't be careless and have to prepare more carefully. We can't underestimate it," continued the former South Korean national team coach.

Shin then asked his team to be aware of the Turkmenistan player number 11, Shamammet Hydyrow. According to Shin, the 22-year-old footballer, apart from being proficient in scoring goals, also has a good move as a forward.

"Indeed, the number 11 player must be watched out for. He also had a hat trick yesterday (against Taiwan). He had a good movement, looked for his back room. We also anticipate that our players will also certainly perform well tomorrow," explained Shin.

Marselino Ferdinand and his friends have made their last preparations with training at the Sriwedari Stadium, Solo, Monday, September 11. Shin led the training session and followed by all the players of the U-23 national team as many as 23 players.

The training was observed starting at 18.30 WIB with a light exercise starting to take care of the players' physicality. A few minutes later, the players formed a small circle consisting of three players to play a touch of a short ball to the feet with various variations. Then the exercise is carried out behind closed doors.

Shin said the exercise contained the final preparation material against Turkmenistan.