Suara.com – PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir evaluated the shortcomings of the Indonesia vs Iraq national team match. He assessed that the Indonesian national team’s defense had lost momentum several times, when they lost 1-3 to Iraq in the 2023 Asian Cup Group D match, Monday.
“It was 1-1 and the goal was in the first half because our defense lost momentum a bit. And earlier, if we had drawn in the first half, maybe the pressure would have been different. But again, we missed. “In the second half I felt the same,” said Erick when met after a group viewing event on Senayan Avenue, Newsdelivers.com.
“Of course I hope the coach and the players will review today’s match. The younger generation, our future, is optimistic that we can win points again, whether against Vietnam or Japan, we will try. “It’s called a round ball,” he added.
PSSI General Chair, Erick Thohir (pssi.org)
The Garuda troops fell behind through Mohanad Ali’s goal in the 17th minute, a goal before Marselino Ferdinan equalized with a goal in the 37th minute, in the match played at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan.
Unfortunately, Iraq was then able to score two additional goals through Oshama Rashid in the 47th minute and Aymen Hussein in the 75th minute.
With this result, Indonesia is now at the bottom of Group D with zero points.
Meanwhile, Iraq is in second place with three points, behind Japan, which also has three points.
With this result, Indonesia’s dream of qualifying from the group phase looks very difficult, because the national team still has to face Japan and Vietnam. However, Erick asked that the team maintain their self-confidence.
“Later we’ll see if coach Shin Tae-yong and the players can try to improve, we shouldn’t give the white flag before it’s over. “This is also a two-time competition,” said the figure who is also the Minister of BUMN.
Erick also reminded that whatever the results obtained in the 2023 Asian Cup, the national team still has hope for the future, because the team currently has many young players.
“After this there was the U-23 championship in Asia, which is the first time in history that we have never entered, our senior team is also the first time after 17 years that we have never entered. If we look at the future, it’s good, because the majority in the first round, I think only Jordi Amat and Yakob were over 24 (years old), namely 31 and 26, Asnawi and all of them were under 24 on average, so I think we’ll keep trying improve performance,” he explained.
To maintain an optimistic tone in the national team, Erick asked the Indonesian national team to reflect on the performance of another Southeast Asian team, Vietnam, which troubled Japan before losing 2-4 to the Asian giant.
“One of their (Vietnam) strengths, when they play as a national team, their patriotic (spirit) is very high. This is what I think our players have to learn when using the Red and White, they have to go all out. Today is all out, but there must be more. “Vietnam can (offer resistance), why can’t Indonesia,” he stressed.
The national team will face Vietnam on Friday (19/1), before playing a group phase match against Japan on Wednesday (24/1).