REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of PSSI Erick Thohir gave motivation to the players of the national team of Indonesia U-23 not to give up after losing 2-0 to Uzbekistan U-23 in the semifinal match of the Asian Cup U-23 2024, Monday (29/4/2024) evening WIB.

“This is an important second Games that makes sure we can qualify for the Olympics. Third place we want to give up or we want to fight back,” Erick told Garuda Muda players in the dressing room after the match against Uzbekistan, in a video uploaded via his personal instagram account: @erickthohir as quoted in Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4/2024).

On that occasion, Erick lobbed the same question repeatedly to the players. “Do we want to fight back or fight back? “Do you want to fight back or fight back?”

“Don't give up, fight back,” Rizki Ridho and friends compactly said.

Erick urged all players not to despair as there are still further matches to be played in order to win tickets to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Let's come on, there's still, come on,” he said.

He said the government and the entire Indonesian community had witnessed and supported the struggle and hard work of the Garuda Muda squad, despite losing to Uzbekistan.

“Mr. Menpora (Menpora Dito Ariotejo) here (together in the locker room), the President (RI President Joko Widodo) watch you, the whole Indonesian people watch you, look at us we are a strong nation, we cannot be trampled,” he said.

Erick called on the players to reawaken the spirit and confidence to look forward to the next match, which is crucial to pursuing the goal of appearing in the world's highest sporting competition.

“Don't complain, we fight back, we are strong and we can fight back, come on, come on,” Erick said to applause from the players.

After giving verbal motivation, Erick shook hands with each player and Indonesia U-23 national team coach Shin Tae-yong.

Despite losing to Uzbekistan U-23, Indonesia U-23 still has two chances to qualify for the Paris Olympics namely through the match for the third place of the 2024 U-23 Asia Cup. If they lose and are in fourth place, they will play a playoff match against Africa's representative, Guinea.

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