Jakarta. The Garuda Indonesia squad could not secure their place in the Asian Cup quarter finals, losing 4-0 to Australia on Sunday. Despite this, fans across Indonesia are proud of the young Red-and-White team. Not only did they enter the knockouts for the first time in history but the Garuda Squad displayed some of their best football to date against Australia's Socceroos. 

Indonesia's Asian Cup campaign was off to a shaky start with a 3-1 loss to Iraq. However, a glimmer of hope emerged as they secured a 1-0 victory against rival Vietnam, fueling fans' optimism about a potentially historic achievement. Team Garuda secured a spot in the last 16 despite a 3-1 loss to Japan in the final group stage match, thanks to the draw between Kirgizstan and Oman. This outcome eliminated Oman from the competition and propelled Indonesia into the knockout round as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage. 

Indonesia achieved a historic milestone by reaching the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time. However, their remarkable journey was met with a formidable obstacle as they faced the strong favorites, Australia.

Indonesia Coach Shin Tae-yong opted for a 5-4-1 formation, Rafael Stuick spearheaded the Garuda attack while the padded defense looked to shut down Australia's offensive.

From the outset, it was clear that Indonesia did not intend to play a reserved, overly defensive game. In the second minute, Indonesia defender Asnawi Mangkualam pumped the ball from the right wing into Australia's penalty area. The finishing was lacking, but it demonstrated the type of opportunistic attack that Indonesia would display for the entire match. 
 
In the first ten minutes, Australia dominated possession and pass completion but the Garuda Indonesia seemed to create more actual chances at goal. The squad has two more promising strikes from Rafael Struick and Yakob Sayuri in the first 9 minutes. 
 
Despite this building momentum, Australia manages to break through in the 12th minute. A powerful cross from Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine is hurriedly intercepted by Indonesia defender Elkan Baggot, this interception misleads goalkeeper Ernando Ari and the ball is pushed past him into the right side of Indonesia's goal. Australia goes up 1-0.
 
While the Socceroos continued to outperform in possession the Garuda Squad carried out several threatening shots towards goal. Indonesia's players move fluidly between defense and midfield through short, clinical passes, allowing the team to construct strategic crosses to Australia's penalty spot. Unfortunately, the Garuda Squad often fails at creating a finish to these crosses and the opportunities are ultimately wasted. 
 
Indonesia's packed defense was largely effective for the game’s first half, Indonesia defenders Asnawi Mangkualam and Jordi Amat are particularly diligent in halting Socceroos strikers. However, a lack of marking saw Australia right-winger Martin Boyle deliver a powerful header into Indonesia's goal. The half ends with Indonesia 2-0 down
 
Indonesia refused to give up despite being two goals down. At the start of the second half, the Garuda Squad came out swinging with an early chance from Yakob Sayuri, capitalizing on the counterattack. The chance was unfortunately dashed by Australia goalkeeper Matthew Ryan. 
 
The second half sees both teams get increasingly frustrated with each other and several tackles lead to clashes between the teams. In the 65th minute, Australia defender Gethin Jones stuck his foot out to trip Rafael Struick after he tackled the Socceroo. The offense was only penalized with a yellow card, leading to a heated confrontation between the two teams that had to be broken up by the referee. 
 
Amongst rising tensions, Indonesia's defense was able to manage Australia's rising attacks. The Garuda Squad is also often successful at utilizing the counterattack to create goal opportunities, but they still struggle with the final strike. 

In the 89th minute, Indonesia goalkeeper Ernando Ari makes a brilliant deflection from Martin Boyle's close range header, unfortunately, it deflects to Australian striker Craig Goodwin who traps and boots the ball into Indonesia's goal. Indonesia goes down 3-0.
 
In the 91st minute, Australia was granted a free kick after Jordi Amat was yellow-carded for shirt-pulling. The free kick glides into Indonesia's goal mouth, only needing light interception from Australia defender Harry Souttar to find the back of the net. The match concludes with Australia winning 4-0. 
 
Indonesia fans expressed disappointment and gratitude at the close of Indonesia's historic Asian Cup campaign. 
 
"The Indonesia national team under coach Shin Tae-yong is developing and showing positive signs, in the Asian Cup they improved every game," said Faisal, a fan who watched the match live from a pub in South Jakarta. 

"We believe that the PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) and coach Shin can inspire the young Indonesia team to fly higher. Indonesia deserves to be on the Asian stage, not just ASEAN," said Faisal.
 
The match also attracted some Australian fans to Jakarta venues. 

"Pretty clinical performance, a bit slow to start but Australia's intensity and physicality came through," said Daniel, an Australian football fan who also watched the match live in the South Jakarta pub. 

"Indonesia played well but I just think our boys are a bit too big. After tonight I certainly think the Socceroos could go all the way," said Daniel. 

Australia will play the winner of Tuesday's clash between South Korea and Saudi Arabia on February 2nd. 
 
As the sun sets on Indonesia's Asian Cup campaign the young squad has a lot to be proud of. Indonesian football fans should be excited to see how Garuda Indonesia will continue to develop and shine in future tournaments.