Jakarta. The Indonesian U-23 national football team is gearing up for their final match in the Asian U-23 Cup, where they will face Iraq in the battle for the third-place position on Thursday.

This match will determine which team secures a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The winner of the match, scheduled to be held at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, will earn an automatic qualification for the Olympics.

While the losing team will still have a chance to advance to the main stage of the Olympic football tournament, they must win a playoff match against the African representative, Guinea, in Clairefontaite, France, on May 9.

Indonesia received a boost as Rafael Struick returned to the squad after serving a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards. The ADO Den Haag player's return adds strength to the team's forward line. Struick scored two goals in the match against South Korea, helping Indonesia secure a dramatic 11-10 victory on penalties.

Against Iraq, Struick is expected to play a vital role in the forward line, partnering with Witan Sulaeman and Marselino Ferdinan.

"He (Struick) has been performing well since the start of the 2024 Asian U-23 Cup. He has been one of our key players since the group stage. It was unfortunate he missed the match against Uzbekistan, but now he is fit, and I am confident he will make a significant contribution in the match against Iraq," said Coach Shin Tae-yong.

The front trio is expected to be supported by four players: Fajar Fathur Rahman, Nathan Tjoe A On, Ivar Jenner, and Pratama Arhan. Meanwhile, Ernando Ari will retain his position as the goalkeeper after his heroic performance in the quarter-final.

However, Indonesia will be without Rizky Ridho in the upcoming match due to a red card he received in the semi-final against Uzbekistan on Monday, April 29, 2024. The U-23 team's captain was sent off for kicking Uzbekistan captain Jasurbek Jaloliddinov while attempting to clear the ball.

Komang Teguh is the frontrunner to replace Rizky Ridho in the defense. The Borneo FC defender played a crucial role in Indonesia's 1-0 victory over Australia in the group stage, scoring the only goal of the match.

Predicted Lineups:

Iraq U-23 (4-2-3-1): Hussein Hassan; Mustafa Saadoun, Zaid Tahseen, Josef Al-Imam, Ahmed Maknzi; Hussein Amer, Muntadher Mohammed; Karrar Mohammed Al-Mukhtar, Ali Jasim, Nihad Mohammed; Amin Al-Hamawi. 
Coach: Radhi Shenaishil

Indonesia U-23 (3-4-3): Ernando Ari; Komang Teguh, Justin Hubner, Muhammad Ferarri; Fajar Fathur Rahman, Nathan Tjoe A On, Ivar Jenner, Pratama Arhan; Marselino Ferdinan, Rafael Struick, Witan Sulaeman. 

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