Iraq are seeking a sixth appearance and a first since 2016, while Indonesia’s sole involvement to date came in 1956 before the Olympics’ men’s football tournament became a U23 affair. The losing team will still have one last shot at making it, via a playoff against Guinea on May 9 in Paris.
However, that is not on either side’s minds for now as they look to pick themselves up from stumbling at the semi-finals to get ready for their second chance at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
For Radhi Shenaishil, that has meant relieving his charges of the burden of expectations as much as possible, following their 2-0 loss to Japan two days ago.
“Regarding our own preparations, everything is going to plan,” he said. “We are trying to reduce the pressure they may have felt, especially in the last game against Japan. We are trying to calm them down so they can play as usual… Our players are at their very peak and we do not want them to waste their chance and aim for them to put in a good performance tomorrow.”The West Asians’ qualification in 2016 also came in Doha at the same stage, when they defeated Qatar to book their place at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Shenaishil hopes history will repeat itself but the 57-year-old is well aware of Indonesia’s strengths, noting their swift attacking play and technical ability.
