No Second Luck for the Indonesian National Football Team

The Indonesian national football team fell in the last 16 of the 2022 Asian Games after losing 0-2 to Uzbekistan. They repeated the failure of the 2018 Asian Games team which fell in the last 16.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Tidak Ada Keberuntungan Kedua untuk Timnas Sepak Bola Indonesia

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

The Uzbekistan U-24 player, Ibrokhim Ibragimov, is flanked by two Indonesian U-24 players, Ranai Rumakiek (left) and Muhammad Taufany Muslihuddin, during the Asian Games 2022 round of 16 football match at the Shancheng Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Thursday (28/9/2023). Indonesia lost 0-2 to Uzbekistan.

HANGZHOU, KOMPAS - After successfully passing the Group F qualifications as the third-best team, there was no luck the second time around for the Indonesian national football team at the Asian Games Hangzhou, China 2022. The "Red and White" team's journey came to an end after losing 0-2 to Uzbekistan in the round of 16 at the Shangcheng Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on Thursday (28/9/2023).

"We apologize to the people of Indonesia, we have not been able to proceed further. We have matched the achievement of the previous Asian Games (in Jakarta-Palembang 2018) and we really wanted to move forward here, to the quarter-finals. The children have fought their best to reach that target," coach Indra Sjafri said during the press conference.

Indonesia's failure is not only due to the issue of sharpness, but also an unconvincing way of playing that resulted in their defeat in all aspects against Uzbekistan. The playing character built by the South Korean coach, Shin Tae-yong, in recent years was not evident at all, especially in the aforementioned match. Indonesia seemed to have returned to factory settings like the era before Shin's arrival, which was characterized by a lack of creativity and frequent unforced errors.

With a statistic of no goals in the last two matches, namely losing 0-1 to Taiwan in the second match of Group F and losing 0-1 to North Korea in the third or final match of the group, the Indonesian coaching staff assessed that sharpness is the main problem for the team. Therefore, they have brought in new ammunition, namely striker Muhammad Ramadhan Sananta from Persis Solo club who is already on the team's lengthy list.

Also read: Indonesia hopes for sharpness in Ramadhan Sananta

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Indonesian U-24 midfielder, Doni Tri Pamungkas, vies for the ball against Uzbekistan U-24 player, Ulugbek Khoshimov, in the round of 16 match of the 2022 Asian Games football tournament at Shancheng Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou, China on Thursday (28/9/2023).

Sananta was trusted to play as a starting player and could not be replaced until the end of the match, which continued into the additional 2 x 15-minute period. However, it was not easy for Sananta to change the situation. In fact, he was not able to do much due to the lack of ball supplies to him.

At certain moments, Sananta actually struggles alone to find space or carries the ball stubbornly in order to create space for his teammates. Sananta is often frustrated because he is in an empty position, but the ball is not given to him.

Players from the second line often hold onto the ball for too long, losing momentum to pass it on. At certain moments, Sananta runs frantically to chase opposing players who have possession of the ball. "Sananta plays well. However, soccer is a team sport, so we cannot rely on just one player. We must play collectively without mistakes," said Indra.

Uzbekistan Attack

On the contrary, Uzbekistan continues to launch attacks from the very beginning of the match. This is what caused Indonesia difficulties in building counterattacks. Indonesian players were more focused on consolidating their defense.

Also read: Damages Shadowing Indonesia's Path to the Top 16

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Indonesian U-24 midfielder, Muhammad Taufany Muslihudidin (front), is vying for the ball with Uzbekistan U-24 player, Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev, in a round of 16 football match at the 2022 Asian Games at the Shancheng Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Thursday (28/9/2023).

Amiruddin Bagas Kaffa, who replaced Robi Darwis, turned out to be ineffective in adding strength to the right side of defense. Instead, Bagas' area became a big hole that opponents often exploited with attackers and wingers who had higher speed.

Uzbekistan is becoming more and more dominant in the second half. They continue to besiege Indonesia and produce a number of golden opportunities that make the players and coaches on the bench and Indonesian supporters in the stands take a deep breath.

We apologize to the Indonesian public, we cannot yet take further steps.

Although they were able to hold out until the second 2 x 15 minute period of extra time, Indonesia ultimately couldn't withstand Uzbekistan's onslaught. After only approximately 2 minutes into the extra period, the "Garuda Muda" team conceded a goal from Uzbekistan's substitute player, midfielder Sherzod Esanov, following a corner kick from the left side of the field.

With their physical size and height much smaller compared to the Uzbekistan players, Indonesia found it difficult to win duels to break through the opponent's defense. There was a glimmer of hope when Sananta's header managed to breach the Uzbekistan goalkeeper's net after receiving a free-kick from the left side of the penalty box near the 110th minute.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Indonesia U-24 defender, Alfeandra Dewangga Santosa, protested against the linesman's decision to cancel a goal during their match against Uzbekistan U-24 in the round of 16 of the 2022 Asian Games football tournament at the Shancheng Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Thursday (28/9/2023). Indonesia, represented by the U-24 team, lost 0-2 to Uzbekistan.

However, the linesman stated that Sananta was in an offside position so the goal was disallowed even though the Indonesian players tried to protest. "Until now, we don't know why the goal was disallowed. "Of course, in an event of this magnitude, there should be VAR to ensure goals in that situation," said Indra.

Indonesia's fate became increasingly bleak when substitute player, striker Hugo Samir, received a second yellow card in the 112th minute. He couldn't contain his emotions after being continuously provoked by Uzbekistan players who were constantly feigning injuries to waste time. Being down a player left Indonesia powerless. To top it off, Esanov scored a second goal in the 120+1st minute, sealing the end of the Red and White team's struggle.

Also read: Despite losing to North Korea, Indonesia's journey is not over

Overall, Indra said that before the opposing team's first goal was born, Indonesia was able to keep up with Uzbekistan's game. The disciplined players followed the planned strategy and focused on guarding the movements of Uzbekistan's players. "However, in football, there are sometimes mistakes. That's what Uzbekistan took advantage of (to score two goals)," said Indra, who will handle the U-20 team for the preparation of the 2025 U-20 World Cup.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Indonesian U-24 defender, Alfeandra Dewangga Santosa (bottom right) and Ananda Raehan Alief, hung their heads low after losing to Uzbekistan 0-2 in the Round of 16 of the 2022 Asian Games football tournament at the Shancheng Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Thursday (28/9/2023).

Impact - as a result of the defeat, Indonesia must pack up and leave sooner, just like the team that was eliminated in the round of 16 in the 2018 Asian Games. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan moves on to the quarterfinals. They will be facing Saudi Arabia at the Yellow Dragon Sports Centre Stadium, Xihu, on October 1st.

"This is a very difficult game with a short recovery period. Indonesia is a very strong team, and there are no easy teams because everyone has prepared themselves well for the 2022 Asian Games. Fortunately, the weather became cooler in the second half, so we could play better," said Uzbekistan Coach Timur Kapadze."