TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to face Iraq in the third-place playoff match of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, May 2. Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong claimed that the Garuda Muda team's current condition was mentally and physically tired.

The national young squad failed to reach the final round after being defeated by Uzbekistan on Monday, April 29, as the duel ended with a score of 0-2.

Shin Tae-yong said the team players were quite devastated by the outcome. “The players are now mentally and physically tired, but we still have an important match on May 2 [against Iraq]. So we will rest well tomorrow and continue to prepare for the next match,” he said in the press conference after the Indonesia vs. Uzbekistan match.

Meanwhile, Iraq lost to Japan with a score of 0-2 in the semifinal match on Tuesday, April 30.

In the upcoming third-place playoff match, the winning team will guarantee a direct qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympics, while the losing team will have to fight for another opportunity to secure a ticket through a playoff match against Guinea, the fourth winner in the 2024 U-23 Africa Cup.

Shin Tae-yong expressed confidence that he can bring his team to the Olympics, as it has been 68 years since they last took part in it in 1956.

“We still have a chance to qualify for the Olympics, so we will be well prepared. I often believe in myself and the players. And we all also know that the players believe that we will get to the Olympic stage,” Shin Tae-yong said optimistically.

RANDY FAUZI FEBRIANSYAH

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