2024 U-23 Asian Cup: National Team Loses 0-2 to Qatar, Colored by VAR and Red Card

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Indonesian U-23 national team lost 0-2 to hosts Qatar in the opening match of Group A of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Monday (15/4/2024) WIB evening. In another match, Australia and Jordan shared one point after the two played a goalless draw.

Qatar leads the Group A list with three points. Australia and Jordan are in the next position with both getting one point, while Indonesia is in last place with no points yet.

Next, Australia will face the Indonesian U-23 national team in the second match on April 18. Meanwhile, Jordan will meet host team Qatar.

A penalty kick taken by Khaled Ali bin Sabaa in the 45+1 minute left Indonesia trailing 0-1 to hosts Qatar in the first half. The hosts dominated the game with a number of opportunities that caused many Indonesian players to commit violations.

In the 17th minute, Qatar got a chance from Khaled’s hard kick from outside the penalty box. However, his kick was caught by Ernando Ari.

Eight minutes later, Pratama Arhan’s long-range throw hit a Qatari player. However, the ball that was heading towards the goal was still caught by goalkeeper Yousef Abdullah.

In the 35th minute, Arhan’s long-range throw again opened up the opportunity. His throw was met by a Ferrari header, but it was still caught by the Qatar goalkeeper

Indonesia had the best chance in the 39th minute when Rafael Struick fired a shot from outside the penalty box. But unfortunately, his kick still hit the lower goal post.

In the 42nd minute, there was a violation from Rizky Ridho whose hand was seen pushing Mahdi in the forbidden box. After seeing VAR, the referee awarded a penalty to hosts Qatar.

Khaled Ali Bin Sabaa, who was believed to be the executioner, directed the ball to the middle. Ernando moved to the left, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. The 1-0 position in Qatar’s favor did not change until the end of the first half.

In the second half, Indonesia had to play with 10 players after Ivan Jenner was sent off after just one minute of the game. Jenner fouled Qatar defender, Saifeldeen Hassan, in the 46th minute.

Shin Tae-yong then brought on Nathan Tjoe-A-Oen in the 51st minute to replace Komang Teguh. It is hoped that Nathan’s entry will increase the attacking power of the Indonesian National Team.

However, the hosts increased their lead in the 54th minute. Ahmad Al Rawi found Ernando Ari’s goal with a free kick from outside the penalty box. The shot was curved and hit the goalpost before the ball entered the goal.

Behind two goals, Indonesia tried to score a goal, a number of opportunities were obtained. In the 58th minute Pratama Arhan’s free kick, after Witan Sulaeman was fouled outside the penalty box, still went up.

Two minutes later, Nathan Tjoe-A-Oen’s free kick was still too high above the Qatar goal. And in the 62nd minute, Marselino Ferdinand’s volley was pushed over by Yousef Abdullah and only resulted in a corner kick for Indonesia.

Indonesia lost another player in the 96th minute. Substitute Ramadhan Sananta committed a foul. After seeing VAR, the referee immediately gave Sananta a red card. Indonesia also had to play with nine players until the end of the match which ended 0-2 in favor of Qatar.