Qatar Goalkeeper Ernando saved a penalty kick and defender Komang headed in, helping Indonesia beat Australia 1-0 in the second match of Group A of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship on April 18.
In the 45th minute, Indonesia was awarded a corner kick. The Ferarri center-back joined the attack, was pressed by the opponent and fought fiercely but still tried to head the ball back for naturalized player Nathan Tjoe to volley. The ball flew to Komang and the center-back headed it into the Australian net.
Hundreds of Indonesian fans in the stands of Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium burst into tears, hugging each other in celebration. They continuously sang and shouted, creating a passionate cheering sound from the beginning of the match and were rewarded with a goal in the last official minute of the first half.
Center back Komang scored the only goal to help Indonesia defeat Australia 1-0 on April 18. Photo: AFC
Before becoming a hero, midfielder Ferarri almost became Indonesia's villain in the 24th minute. He handled the ball in the penalty area after Toure's shot, forcing the home team to concede a penalty. However, goalkeeper Ernando saved Indonesia with a precise dive, successfully blocking Toure's shot.
Toure will have a lot to blame himself for after this match. Six minutes after missing the penalty, he had a solo effort, shot and was blocked by his opponent, while two teammates were in a very favorable position, signaling for the ball.
Goalkeeper Ernando flew to block Toure's penalty kick, helping Indonesia defeat Australia at the AFC U23 Championship in Qatar on April 18. Photo: AFC
After losing 0-2 to hosts Qatar in their opening match, Indonesia were forced to beat Australia to avoid the risk of early elimination. Coach Shin Tae-yong decided to switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3. The team from the archipelago surrounded and fought fiercely for the ball in midfield before quickly switching to an attacking mode, playing tit-for-tat with Australia.
After opening the score, in the second half, Indonesia switched to defense-counterattack, concentrating the majority of their troops in the penalty area and in front of the 16m50 area to block. Australia was stuck in front of the opponent's dense defensive wall. They tried to stuff the ball into the penalty area but goalkeeper Ernando played excellently, continuously blocking it successfully. Especially in the 88th minute, he punched the ball right over Alou Kuol's head, then jumped up to block Brook's powerful rebound.
In the entire second half, goalkeeper Ernando was unable to save only one shot, having to stand still and watch the ball in the 65th minute. However, Toure's header hit the crossbar.
Defeating Australia, Indonesia had their first victory in the U23 Asian tournament. Coach Shin Tae-yong's team also revived their chance to enter the quarter-finals, in the final round against Jordan. Meanwhile, Australia fell into a difficult situation when they only got one point in the 0-0 draw with Jordan on the opening day. In the final match of the group stage, they will have to face host Qatar.
Lam Thoa
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