Jokowi Upbeat for Indonesia Vs. Iraq in U-23 Asian Cup Third-place Playoff
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2 May 2024 14:41 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo has expressed optimism that the national team's match against Iraq in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Thursday evening, May 2, 2024, will bring a positive outcome for Indonesia.
“God willing, [Indonesia will] win,” he told journalists after visiting Seketeng Market in Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday, May 2, as Tempo observed via the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
Tonight, Indonesia and Iraq will compete to get third place in the youth tournament. The Garuda Muda squad coached by Shin Tae-yong will face Iraq after being defeated by Uzbekistan with a score of 2-0 in the semifinals on Monday, April 29, 2024.
Tonight's match will be the first meeting between the two countries at the U-23 level. Previously, the two had met at senior level, with a total of 13 duels. Eight of those were won by Iraq, three ended in a draw, and two were won by Indonesia.
The last battle between the two teams took place at the 2023 Asian Cup, where Indonesia lost 1-3.
At present, Indonesia has only two chances to secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The first chance is if Indonesia manages to beat Iraq tonight. If it loses, Indonesia will have to face Guinea, the fourth-placed team in the 2024 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, in a playoff round.
RIRI RAHAYU | RANDY FAUZI FEBRIANSYAH
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