The Indonesian U-24 national team secured victory in the opening match of Group F of the 2023 Asian Games after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in Hangzhou, China, Tuesday (19/09/2023).
This victory continues the national team’s winning tradition in various international competitions.
PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir appreciated this positive result. According to Erick, the national team’s winning mentality must be maintained in every event it takes place. “Thank God, we are able to continue the positive trend of the national team. After the SEA Games, AFF U-23 Cup Qualification and AFC U-23, now at Asia’s main level, namely the Asian Games, victory can also be achieved. We must continue to maintain this winning tradition,” said Erick in his statement, Tuesday (19/09/2023).
Erick asked the national team players to stay focused. Even though they achieved an important victory in the first match, they have not yet won their qualification ticket. “We have to stay focused until the last match. Let’s win a ticket to the top 16!” Erick confirmed.
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Even though he asked the players to remain alert, Erick did not forget to pump up the enthusiasm of the national team to face the next match with confidence. In the Group F match, the national team will face one of the Asian giants, North Korea. Even though the opponents they faced had an elite Asian level of play, Erick asked the players not to relax the intensity of their game.
“Playing against anyone, the way we play, both from a technical and mental perspective, must be the same. Today Kyrgyzstan, tomorrow Taiwan and North Korea we must also show up to win,” said Erick.
With the victory over Kyrgyzstan, the national team opened up the opportunity to qualify for the round of 16. If they are able to win against Taiwan on Thursday (21/09/2023), the national team will guarantee a ticket to the round of 16.
