Jakarta. The Indonesian U-23 national team faces a tough test against Guinea U-23 in a playoff match at Clairefontaine Stadium in Paris, France, on Thursday, at 08:00 p.m. Jakarta time. The winner secures a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Physical Challenge Ahead

Rizky Ridho and his team will confront Guinea, a side known for its physicality and strength, under the guidance of coach Morlaye Cisse. With Guinea having a clear advantage in power and physical stature, Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong's squad must be well-prepared to counter this threat.

Key Concerns

The tall stature of the Guinean players could pose a threat, especially in aerial duels and set-pieces. Indonesia must maintain concentration, particularly during corner kicks, to avoid conceding goals.

Guinea's Journey

Guinea advanced to this playoff as the fourth-placed team in the 2023 African Cup of Nations held in Morocco. Despite starting with a narrow 1-2 defeat against Morocco, they showed resilience by defeating Congo 3-1 and holding Ghana to a 1-1 draw.

Indonesia's Path

Indonesia secured its playoff spot after finishing fourth in the U-23 Asian Cup. They defeated Australia 1-0 and Jordan 4-1 but fell to Uzbekistan in the semifinals. In the third-place playoff, they suffered a 1-2 defeat against Iraq.

Team Preparations

Indonesia's coach, Shin Tae-yong, stressed the importance of maintaining his team's fitness, especially after their recent tiring journey. However, the team is facing concerns over the condition of the playing field and uncertainty regarding the availability of defender Justin Hubner.

Hubner's current club, Cerezo Osaka, has not given permission for him to participate in the match against Guinea. To address this, Shin Tae-yong has called up Alfeandra Dewangga as a replacement.

"Because of fatigue, we only had short recovery and tactical training. We had a long and tiring journey," Shin said in his statement to the press.

The South Korean coach also revealed that the players must wear thick jackets as the temperature is quite cold. The condition of the training field is also a concern for the Indonesian U-23 team. The Stade de Lagrange field is considered substandard.

"It's below standard, yes. It's not like in Doha, but they say the grass here is the best. So, we have to adapt to the situation and conditions here," he explained.

Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Ernando Ari

Defenders: Muhammad Ferarri, Rizky Ridho, Alfeandra Dewangga

Midfielders: Pratama Arhan, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Ivar Jenner, Rio Fahmi

Forwards: Marselino Ferdinan, Witan Sulaeman, Rafael Struick

Coach: Shin Tae-yong