Doha. Despite conceding an early penalty, the Indonesia National Football Team put up a strong fight against Japan's Samurai Blue in a decisive match at the AFC Asian Cup 2023. Indonesia played a hard-fought game until the final whistle. Unfortunately, the Garuda squad ultimately suffered a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday.
 
Luckily for Indonesian football fans, the Asian Cup dream is not over, with a chance of still qualifying for the knockouts next week. The four best third-place teams go through to the round of 16, alongside the top and runner-up of each group. Currently holding 3 points and a goal difference of minus three, Indonesia occupies the fourth-best third-place position in the competition. If they maintain this standing, they will progress to the next round and face Australia on Sunday night.

The only team that threatens Garuda's chance at knockouts is Oman, scheduled to face Kyrgyzstan on Thursday night. If Oman defeats Kyrgyzstan, they dash Indonesia's chance of seeing the next round. But if Oman draws with Kyrgyzstan or Kyrgyzstan beats Oman, they will not gain enough points to overtake Indonesia, allowing the Garuda Squad to see the knockouts. 

In head-to-head encounters, Kyrgyzstan and Oman have faced each other only twice. In their first meeting, Oman defeated Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in the 2023 CAFA Nations Cup on June 20, 2023. The tables turned in the second encounter, with Kyrgyzstan securing a 1-0 victory over Oman in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers on Nov. 21, 2023.

Football fans across Indonesia are hopeful for this chance to take on Australia in the round of 16. Despite losing against Japan the squad demonstrated its ability to improve at every game. 

Indonesia seemed confident at the opening of the Japan match. Indonesia coach Shin Tae-yong opted for a 3-4-3 formation, a padded midfield to shut down Japan's heavy offensive. 
 
In the second minute of the game, Indonesia defender Jordi Amat made a reckless tackle against Japanese striker Ayase Ueda, grabbing him by the waist. After a prompt analysis by the referee, Japan was awarded a penalty. Ueda drove the ball to the left side of Indonesia's goal, converting the penalty and leaving Japan up 1-0 in the sixth minute. 
 
In the wake of such an early goal, Indonesia did not seem defeated. They continued to play an attacking game with a high defense, this was largely effective in intercepting Japan's offensive plays. While  Japan dominated possession and pass completion the Samurai Blue seemed disjointed at the goalmouth. After their first penalty, Japan struggled to create a clean shot on goal.   
 
While Indonesia's defense was efficient in shutting down Japan's attacks they often pumped the ball forward upon gaining possession, in the hopes of a Garuda attacker being on the other end. This is rarely effective for the squad and often leads to Japan regaining possession or Indonesian players being forced offside. 
 
Japan continued to batter Indonesia's goal, in the 35th minute Japanese midfielder Keito Nakamura made a threatening shot from the penalty spot, which struck Indonesia’s goalpost, preventing it from ending up on the scoresheet. 
 
Nearing the close of the first half Indonesia seemed to modify its play. In line with coach Shin's previous tactics, the Garuda Squad shifts to short, clinical passes along the wings. This proves much more impactful than booting the ball forwards and it sees Indonesia create some of its most threatening shots of the game. 
 
This momentum is interrupted by the half-time whistle. Indonesia finished the half 1-0 down. 
 
Five minutes into the second half Indonesia coach Shin receives a yellow card for arguing with match officials. 

Moments later Japan’s Ueda delivers again with a second goal for the Blue Samurai. A well-timed cross from Japanese striker Ritsu Doan was too quick for Indonesia's defense and was powerfully finished by Ueda, leaving Japan up 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

Indonesia goalkeeper Ernando Ari showed great bravery throughout the match, throwing his body at several punishing shots including a threatening cross from Japan in the 70th minute.  
 
Despite working to defend their goal Ayase Ueda attacked again in the 88th minute. His shot was hurriedly intercepted by Indonesia defender Justin Hubner who, unfortunately, sent the ball into his own net. The own goal leaves Japan 3-0 up. 
 
Moments after the own goal blunder, Indonesia delivers a masterclass. A throw-in by Pratama Arhan landed at Garuda defender Sandy Walsh. Walsh slotted the ball into the right side of Japan's goal. Indonesia fans roared as the score read 3-1 in the 91st minute. 
 
Many fans across Indonesia are disheartened with tonight's result.

"We are quite disappointed," said Dhiky, a fan who watched the match live from a cafe in Kemang, "but it is a valuable lesson. For the future we need to evaluate more before heading into these matches". 

Not everyone was disappointed, Yudha, a fan and local football coach who also watched the match live said it made him hopeful for the future of Indonesian football. 

Yudha expressed excitement at the potential for Indonesia to verse Australia on Sunday. "I hope we can prove ourselves once again," he said.