Japan defeated Indonesia 3-1 in the third Group D match of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup held at Altumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar at 8:30 p.m. on the 24th (Korea time).
As a result, Japan advanced to the round of 16 as the second-ranked team in the group with six points. Indonesia, led by coach Shin Tae-yong, ended its group league as the third-ranked team in the group with three points (loss -2). However, Indonesia also has a chance of making it to the round of 16 as the top four of the six teams ranking third in each group will advance to the round of 16. 사설 토토사이트
Korea, which belongs to Group E, is currently ranking second in the group with four points (1 win, 1 draw, and loss +2). Jordan, which ranks first in the group with four points (1 win, 1 draw, and loss +4), and Bahrain, which ranks third in the group, with three points (1 win, 1 loss, and loss -1). We need to see until the end who will be the final winner of Group E.
The last place is confirmed to be Malaysia. Since Malaysia has already lost to both Jordan and Bahrain, it cannot escape from the bottom even if it defeats Korea in the third round.
On the contrary, Korea, Jordan, and Bahrain have secured at least the third place. In this tournament, the top four of the six third-place teams in each group will advance to the round of 16 teams as wild cards. This means that if one of the third-place teams in another group beats the other two, he or she can advance to the tournament.
There were three groups in Group A, B and C that finished the group stage before the end of the Japan-Indonesia match on the day. China (two points), ranking third in Group A, has already been eliminated, while Syria, ranking third in Group B, and Palestine, ranking third in Group C, have advanced to the round of 16 with four points (zero points).
In addition, Group D also played its last game, and Indonesia ranked third in the group with three points. If this happens, Korea will qualify as a wild card because it has higher points than China and Indonesia even if it falls to third place in the group due to a crushing defeat to Malaysia. In other words, even if Korea loses to Malaysia 0-10, it will have no problem advancing to the round of 16.
This marks Korea’s eighth consecutive tournament appearance at the Asian Cup. Korea has never been eliminated before the round of 16 since it was eliminated from the Japanese tournament qualifying round in 1992. In the past seven tournaments, Korea has recorded a quarterfinal-third place-third place-third place-second place-quasi-finals.
Attention is now focusing on the round of 16. If Korea secures the top spot in Group E, it will face Japan, ranking second in Group D, in the round of 16. This is a chance for a “fate between Korea and Japan” to take place from the start of the tournament. However, if Korea ranks second in Group E, it will face the No. 1 in Group F. Saudi Arabia is the most promising candidate for Group F.
Klinsmann is committed to dealing with Japan. “It is absolutely not true that we are trying to avoid Saudi Arabia or Japan. There is not a single team that we want to avoid,” Klinsmann told a news conference on Monday.
“I will show you that we are a team that deserves to win and advance to No. 1 in the group,” Klinsmann said. “The most important thing is to beat Malaysia. It is a must-win game. My goal is to win and advance to the round of 16 as No. 1 in the group.”