Despite boasting the youngest squad in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Indonesia showed some promise as they took the game to heavy favorites Iraq and while the Timnas Garuda succumbed to a 3-1 defeat on Monday, their performance was an improvement compared to the 5-1 thrashing that they had suffered when the last met Iraq in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on November of last year.
2007 champions Iraq went flying out of the blocks after kick-off, with an Ali Adnan free-kick finding Osama Rashid’s head after just three minutes. Unfortunately for the Mesopotamian Lions, Rashid’s header went agonizingly wide from Ernando Ari’s goal.
Indonesia quickly responded when goalkeeper Jalal Hassan punched away a cross into the Iraqi box, but Marselino Ferdinan’s first-time shot hit the top of the crossbar and went behind.
Similar to his performance in the 2019 Asian Cup, Mohanad Ali once again opened Iraq’s account in the tournament. The 23-year-old forward capitalized on a loose ball in the Indonesian half, moved into the box, and calmly finished past the goalkeeper in the 17th minute.
Just before halftime, Indonesia equalized as Ipswich Town’s highly-rated Elkan Baggott skillfully dribbled past his marker and delivered a low cross for Ferdinan to tap in the equalizer – with the KMSK Deinze player becoming the youngest player to score in the 2023 Asian Cup and the fourth youngest in the tournament overall.
In the dying seconds of the first half, Iraq reclaimed the lead through Rashid, who was in the right place at the right time to convert a rebound after Ernando had pushed away Ali Jasim’s shot. The goal was protested by the Indonesian camp, however, as they felt Rashid had scored from an offside position with VAR controversially allowing the goal to stand.
Amir Al Ammari thought he had increased Iraq’s lead shortly after the restart, but the offside flag went up, a decision confirmed by the subsequent VAR check.
Iraq secured their third goal in the 75th minute through substitute Aymen Hussein, who won an aerial battle in the Indonesia box and half-volleyed into the roof of the net, extending his country’s lead.
Monday’s Asian Cup matches also saw Indonesia’s regional rivals Malaysia succumbing to a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Jordan, and Son Heung-min’s South Korea cruising to a 3-1 win over Bahrain.