Hargo.co.id – The Indonesian national team is indeed destined to determine their own fate. Today, in the match against Japan, Indonesia needs at least a draw to secure a spot in the round of 16 of the 2023 Asia Cup.
The group stage of the 2023 Asia Cup entered its final matches starting Monday, January 22, 2024. This means that the teams that will advance directly to the knockout stage as the first and second place in the final group standings can already be determined.
Now, as of today, Wednesday, January 24, 2024, three groups have completed all their matches, namely in Group A, Group B, and Group C.
The final standings of these three groups have been settled, both the group winners and runners-up who automatically qualify for the round of 16, as well as the third-placed teams who will compete in a separate standings.
Actually, the Indonesian national team also had hopes from the results of the matches in these three groups. There was a chance that the Garuda Squad could secure a spot in the best third-place team standings without needing to play.
Unfortunately, one by one, those opportunities failed to materialize, so today the Indonesian national team must determine their own fate.
The Indonesian national team had hopes
In matchday 2 of Group B and Group C yesterday, the Indonesian national team actually had hopes from two matches, namely the Syria vs. India match and the Hong Kong vs. Palestine match.
If either of the two matches ended in a draw, without a winner, the Indonesian national team could have been assured of a place in the best third-place team standings, automatically advancing to the round of 16.
Unfortunately, those hopes disappeared one by one. India failed to hold Syria, losing with a score of 0-1. Then, Palestine performed well to defeat Hong Kong 3-0.
Syria got four points, the same as Palestine, but they are not yet safe. Their position could still be overtaken by Bahrain, Indonesia, and Oman.
The Indonesian national team must determine their own fate
Looking at the situation above, it can be concluded that the Indonesian national team has a fairly good chance of advancing. Shin Tae-yong’s squad must hold Japan to a draw in tonight’s match.
If Indonesia loses, the chance of advancement still exists, but it will depend on the results of other teams. Let’s say Oman fails to win in their last match, Indonesia’s position in the best third-place team standings will not change.
Unfortunately, learning from the Syria vs. India and Hong Kong vs. Palestine matches yesterday, it can be concluded that the Indonesian national team cannot rely on the results of other teams. They must play at their best against Japan and determine their own fate. (*)
Source: Bola.net
