The Indonesian U-23 national team was praised by Jordanian coach Abdullah Abu Zema. (AFP/KARIM JAAFAR)
-- Jordan U-23 national team coach, Abdullah Abu Zema, admitted that Indonesia deserved to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup after an extraordinary performance in winning 4-1 at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Sunday (21/4).
"The Indonesian national team played an extraordinary match and fully deserved to win and qualify. We had a plan to score the first goal, we had three chances, but we didn't take advantage of any of them," said Abu Zema, quoted by Winwin.
Abu Zema said Marselino Ferdinan's penalty goal in the 23rd minute had ruined Jordan's game. Moreover, Shin Tae Yong's team showed a good game in defense.
"The Indonesian national team was ahead of us in scoring the first goal. If we were the first to score, many things would have been different in the match," said the 48-year-old coach.
"After the Indonesian national team took the lead, they tightened their grip on the match and exercised full control. Meanwhile we didn't appear in the match and didn't give the game we wanted," said Abu Zema.
Furthermore, Abu Zema is ready to take responsibility for Jordan's failure to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. The former Jordanian national team player is reluctant to blame his players.
"Devastating defeat and early exit from the tournament, there is no defense, I am the one who bears the responsibility for being eliminated from the tournament and is responsible for this very heavy, big defeat," said Abu Zema.
"The players gave their best in the first and second matches against Australia and Qatar, where we were unlucky in those matches. But against Indonesia, we didn't give anything. We have respectable players who have a bright future. "I apologize to the fans and the Jordanian people for this bad result," Abu Zema added.
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