Doha: The third and final automatic berth at the Paris Olympics from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ will be at stake on Thursday when Iraq and Indonesia face off in the third place playoff.
Iraq are seeking a sixth appearance and a first since 2016, while Indonesia’s sole involvement to date came in 1956 before the Olympics’ men’s football tournament became a U23 affair. The losing team will still have one last shot at making it, via a playoff against Guinea on May 9 in Paris.
However, that is not on either side’s minds for now as they look to pick themselves up from stumbling at the semi-finals to get ready for their second chance at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
For Radhi Shenaishil, that has meant relieving his charges of the burden of expectations as much as possible, following their 2-0 loss to Japan two days ago.
“Regarding our own preparations, everything is going to plan,” he said. “We are trying to reduce the pressure they may have felt, especially in the last game against Japan. We are trying to calm them down so they can play as usual… Our players are at their very peak and we do not want them to waste their chance and aim for them to put in a good performance tomorrow.”
#AFCU23 | S-Final : Japan 2 – 0 Iraq
The West Asians’ qualification in 2016 also came in Doha at the same stage, when they defeated Qatar to book their place at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Shenaishil hopes history will repeat itself but the 57-year-old is well aware of Indonesia’s strengths, whom Iraq will have to face without the suspended defensive duo of right-back Mustafa Saadoun and centre-back Zaid Tahseen, who have both played every minute of their campaign so far.
“We have been following the Indonesians very closely since the start of the tournament – they are very good, developed and respectable on the pitch,” the former Iraq international defender said.
“Asean football is known to be about very fast and quick transitions and we have to be very careful in order to stop them, especially when it comes to their forwards.
“Indonesia won against Jordan, Australia and Korea Republic, so they have not made it here by chance or coincidence, and they have a full-fledged plan and strategy, which makes us respect them and (in turn) makes us better focused. Our players are ready despite the difficulty of this decisive game.
“We have a good team, we are courageous and very motivated and have good physical ability, what we will need in order to get a good result is our focus.”
Meanwhile, Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong noted that physical recovery has been the core aspect in the build-up, after their 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan on Monday that came off a quarter-final win against Korea Republic that went to a penalty shootout where each team took 12 kicks.
The ex-Korea Republic international, who has already made history by leading the debutants to this point, will also have to deal with the unavailability of centre-backs Rizky Ridho – the skipper – and Justin Hubner, who are key components of their three-man defence.
#AFCU23 | S-Final : Indonesia 0 – 2 Uzbekistan
“To be honest, we have had some difficulties in terms of (the players’) fitness levels and we have been focusing on recovery,” the 53-year-old said. “I think that tomorrow’s result could be dependent on quick recovery and mental preparation of both teams. We need to focus on having a strong mentality and (having the) will to win against Iraq tomorrow.”
Shin can at least welcome forward Rafael Struick, who scored twice against Korea Republic, back from suspension to lead the line, saying: “He is a key player as our striker and he has recovered and also has good fitness levels, so I think he will contribute to our performance tomorrow.”
Iraq v Indonesia
Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:30 (UTC+3)
Courtesy AFC
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Preview – 3rd Place Playoff: Iraq v Indonesia
AIPS ASIA News:
Doha: The third and final automatic berth at the Paris Olympics from the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ will be at stake on Thursday when Iraq and Indonesia face off in the third place playoff.
Iraq are seeking a sixth appearance and a first since 2016, while Indonesia’s sole involvement to date came in 1956 before the Olympics’ men’s football tournament became a U23 affair. The losing team will still have one last shot at making it, via a playoff against Guinea on May 9 in Paris.
However, that is not on either side’s minds for now as they look to pick themselves up from stumbling at the semi-finals to get ready for their second chance at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
For Radhi Shenaishil, that has meant relieving his charges of the burden of expectations as much as possible, following their 2-0 loss to Japan two days ago.
“Regarding our own preparations, everything is going to plan,” he said. “We are trying to reduce the pressure they may have felt, especially in the last game against Japan. We are trying to calm them down so they can play as usual… Our players are at their very peak and we do not want them to waste their chance and aim for them to put in a good performance tomorrow.”
#AFCU23 | S-Final : Japan 2 – 0 Iraq
The West Asians’ qualification in 2016 also came in Doha at the same stage, when they defeated Qatar to book their place at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Shenaishil hopes history will repeat itself but the 57-year-old is well aware of Indonesia’s strengths, whom Iraq will have to face without the suspended defensive duo of right-back Mustafa Saadoun and centre-back Zaid Tahseen, who have both played every minute of their campaign so far.
“We have been following the Indonesians very closely since the start of the tournament – they are very good, developed and respectable on the pitch,” the former Iraq international defender said.
“Asean football is known to be about very fast and quick transitions and we have to be very careful in order to stop them, especially when it comes to their forwards.
“Indonesia won against Jordan, Australia and Korea Republic, so they have not made it here by chance or coincidence, and they have a full-fledged plan and strategy, which makes us respect them and (in turn) makes us better focused. Our players are ready despite the difficulty of this decisive game.
“We have a good team, we are courageous and very motivated and have good physical ability, what we will need in order to get a good result is our focus.”
Meanwhile, Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong noted that physical recovery has been the core aspect in the build-up, after their 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan on Monday that came off a quarter-final win against Korea Republic that went to a penalty shootout where each team took 12 kicks.
The ex-Korea Republic international, who has already made history by leading the debutants to this point, will also have to deal with the unavailability of centre-backs Rizky Ridho – the skipper – and Justin Hubner, who are key components of their three-man defence.
#AFCU23 | S-Final : Indonesia 0 – 2 Uzbekistan
“To be honest, we have had some difficulties in terms of (the players’) fitness levels and we have been focusing on recovery,” the 53-year-old said. “I think that tomorrow’s result could be dependent on quick recovery and mental preparation of both teams. We need to focus on having a strong mentality and (having the) will to win against Iraq tomorrow.”
Shin can at least welcome forward Rafael Struick, who scored twice against Korea Republic, back from suspension to lead the line, saying: “He is a key player as our striker and he has recovered and also has good fitness levels, so I think he will contribute to our performance tomorrow.”
Iraq v Indonesia
Venue: Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:30 (UTC+3)
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