Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
Indonesia sealed a quarter-final berth in the AFC U23 Asian Cup with an authoritative 4-1 victory over Jordan at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday.
Needing only a point to confirm their place in the last eight heading into this game, the red shirts of Indonesia signalled their intent by pouring forward from the get-go in front of a partisan crowd of 5,632.
Leading the line, Rafael Struick was in the thick of the action early on and after testing Jordan goalkeeper Ahmad Juaidi twice in the fourth and 11th minutes, played a key role in the opening goal after being fouled by Amer Jamous in the box.
Marselino, scorer of Indonesia’s first goal at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 just over three months ago and one of nine in this U23 side that were in their squad at Asia’s crown jewel, stepped up to coolly send Juaidi the wrong way and find the bottom left corner in the 23rd minute.
Indonesia were far more prolific and their lead was doubled in the 40th minute.
Marselino drove at the Jordan defence before finding captain Rizky Ridho at the top of the box, whose deft first-time pass was caressed by Witan Sulaeman’s left foot into the far left corner.
The third goal, in the 70th minute, was arguably even more pleasing on the eyes. Having played a one-two with Witan, Marselino finished off the move with a delightful touch past the onrushing Juaidi for his second of the night.
To their credit, Jordan refused to give up and after Ibrahim Sabra had fluffed his lines from close range in the 66th minute, they pulled one back when Waseem Alriyalat’s shot from range was deflected past Ernando by Justin Hubner on 79 minutes.
But Indonesia were not done yet and their three-goal advantage was restored seven minutes later. Pratama Arhan’s trademark long throws finally reaped dividends as his bullet delivery from the left was nodded in by Komang Teguh, who came off the bench to notch his second goal in as many games.
The emphatic win not only extends Indonesia’s journey in the tournament but also secures their progression. Right from the outset, Indonesia asserted their dominance on the field, exhibiting exceptional organization and attacking prowess.
Goals poured in from various contributors throughout the match, underscoring Indonesia’s collective strength and precise execution.
As the game unfolded, Indonesia stifled any attempts from Jordan to pose a significant threat, firmly establishing their control over proceedings.
Looking forward, Indonesia’s triumph in this encounter serves as a rallying point for both the team and their loyal supporters.
The spectacle unfolded amidst a sea of red and white, as the fervent supporters of the Garuda team outnumbered their Jordanian counterparts threefold.
The vibrant cheers and chants reverberated throughout the stadium, serving as a palpable source of motivation for Indonesia’s players.
With each goal celebrated and each tackle applauded, the bond between the team and their fans grows stronger, forging an unbreakable connection that transcends the boundaries of the sport.
