Indonesia U-23's journey in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup has been a testament to their remarkable progress since their disappointment in 2015. Nine years after their hopes were dashed in their final qualification match by South Korea U-23, Indonesia clinched a historic semi-final spot with a thrilling 11-10 victory on penalties against the same opponents at the 2023 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
The decisive moment came when Pratama Arhan, ironically plying his trade in the South Korean top-flight with Suwon FC, calmly converted his spot-kick in a marathon shootout, securing victory for the tournament debutants who had to overcome being pegged back twice in regulation time despite holding a one-man advantage from the 70th minute onwards.
For South Korea, the defeat marked the end of their Olympic Games aspirations, as well as marking the Young Taeguk Warriors' failure to qualify into the semifinals of the U-23 Asian Cup for the second tournament running.
Despite being pressed from the start, Indonesia took the lead with two superb goals from Rafael Struick in the first half. Struick's first goal, a sublime curling effort, broke South Korea's defensive resilience. His second, an opportunistic finish, capitalized on a defensive mix-up, showcasing Indonesia's determination.
While South Korea managed to equalize through Eom Ji-sung's header, Indonesia's resolute defense frustrated their opponents. Outstanding performances, including a crucial block from captain Rizky Ridho, kept the Young Taeguk Warriors at bay.
Despite South Korea's late equalizer through Jeong Sang-bin's breakaway goal, neither side could find a winner in extra time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. Ernando Ari's heroics in goal, including a crucial save from Lee, sealed the Garuda Muda's victory and sparked jubilation among their supporters.
For head coach Shin Tae-yong, who led South Korea nine years ago, the victory marked a full-circle moment. Now coaching Indonesia, he has the opportunity to carve a new legacy by guiding his team to a finals rematch against Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia, potentially repeating his past success on a new stage.
