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Can Indonesia qualify for Olympics football for the first time?

If someone is looking for a team to support in the U-23 AFC Asian Cup, there may be no need to look any further than the Indonesia national team.

The squad is into the semi-finals in the competition for the first time.

One more win would cement their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The top three teams for the tournament automatically qualify for the Olympics as the winner of the third place match qualifies as well.

Your possible new-found fandom of the team could carry over to the Olympics if they make the competition.

There are several interesting features of this current U-23 team.

Their manager, Shin Tae-yong, is already gaining admiration after the team’s latest feat.

Last evening, Indonesia beat South Korea in penalties (11-10) after being tied 2-2 during regulation time. The quarter finals match-up boasted plenty of young talent, but also an ironic storyline.

Shin Tae-yong used to be assistant manager of the South Korea national team, the manager of the U-23 team for the Summer Olympics, and the manager of U-20 national team. 

Tae-yong eventually became the manager of the national team and took the side to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. South Korea was unable to make it out of their group, but beat defending champions Germany, 2-0, in their final matchday.

South Korea did not renew his contract and he eventually took the manager role in Indonesia. In his last public appearance as manager, eggs were thrown at him and his players.

As a native of South Korea, he was able to beat his home nation to secure a spot in the semi-final. 

There is an irony of Tae-yong being shunned from his homeland only to return to haunt them.

He has quality throughout the pitch and it is indicative of Indonesian football’s growth.

Indonesia being the best at anything in world football could be seen as a shock to some fans.

The team may have the best throw-in taker in world football at the moment. 

Pratama Arhan, has developed a lethal long throw that causes problems for oppositions, and helps to create more chances for Indonesia.

https://twitter.com/BeGriffis/status/1783674789808263217

Arhan coolly dispatched his penalty to seal the win for Indonesia and book their place in the semi-final.  

Indonesia’s starting striker, Rafael Struick, is an emerging young talent with blossoming potential.

He has the ability to be deployed out wide as a left winger and as a center forward. 

Struick signed his first ever professional contract with ADO Den Haag, a team in the first division of Dutch football, and he acquired Indonesian citizenship in May 2023.

A brace from Struick got Indonesia off to a quick start in the first half. There was a stunning level of composure and quality in his finishing displayed with both of his goals.

The second goal could have potential to be considered one the goals of the tournament, perhaps the goal of the tournament.

https://twitter.com/afcasiancup/status/1783608556954001410

https://twitter.com/afcasiancup/status/1783605789090775513

They have a playmaker who can also play as a winger, Marselino Ferdinan, who is being talked about as one the most promising talents currently in the continent. 

The 19-year old, currently plays his club football in Belgium for Deinze, and he has already made three appearances for the senior national team.

He has a high work rate off-the-ball. He can shoot from distance and is still improving as a passer. As he continues to improve, Ferdinan will likely create more chances for himself and others. Crossing is a strength of his game and he can continue to work on using weak foot in attack.

Indonesia has a robust fan base for football.

Their fans have traveled well to the tournament. There was an attendance of 9,105 fans at the match against South Korea, a sizable amount for a U-23 knockout stage match. And, Indonesia fans are urging the team on from back home.

https://twitter.com/TopTrends90/status/1783795434080588287

https://twitter.com/idextratime/status/1783740271488094502

If they qualify for the Olympics, there could be a new cohort of fans cheering them on this summer.

Author

  • Jaden Dakwa

    I am a sports journalist and I have been writing about football since 2021. Sports, in general, have been a passion of mine since a young age. The Gunners in North London are definitely my favorite team, but I have overwhelming love for the sport of football as a whole. In that aspect of my life, not much has changed.

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