Indonesia to Face Japan, Iraq, and Vietnam at Asian Cup 2023
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11 May 2023 22:21 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has been drawn in Group D for the Asian Cup 2023 which will take place in January 2024 in Qatar. The national team will thus take on Japan, Iraq, and Vietnam in the group stage.
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir was present at the draw for the Asian football cup along with national coach Shin Tae-Yong. He said the Indonesian team will fight with all their might to keep up with the competition in Group D.
According to him, Japan, Iraq, and Vietnam are tough opponents. Moreover, Japan is the winner of the competition on a record four occasions. At the 2022 World Cup, the Samurai Blue squad surprisingly managed to beat Germany and Spain.
“We already know that Japan's quality is at the global elite level, as well as Iraq and Vietnam. All of them are tough teams, but anything can happen in 90 minutes and everything starts with a score of 0-0. We are ready even though the challenge is not easy,” Erick said in Doha, Thursday, May 11, 2023.
According to him, the Garuda squad players are ready to fight. Even though the national team is categorized in Pot 4 which is the lowest-ranked team, he asked the players not to be afraid.
“Our national team keeps showing positive developments. We know this Asian Cup is joined by world-level teams. This is clearly a challenge and an opportunity for us to further raise the level of the national team's game,” he added.
He also said that Group D is special because Indonesia will take on its neighbor, Vietnam. "Vietnam, as we know, is our rival in Asean, who has great performance in Asia. All opponents are tough, but our team also has the quality to make surprises.”
Erick Thohir believed Shin Tae-Yong's squad has the opportunity to compete with elite Asian countries in football competitions. “This is our fifth participation in the Asian Cup and we have been absent since 2007 and have just been able to return [this year]. We must take advantage of this opportunity by fighting until the final whistle,” he said.
ARKHELAUS WISNU TRIYOGO
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