AFC U23 Asian Cup
For tournament debutants Indonesia, the encounter at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium presents them with the opportunity to become the seventh different side to reach the final in history as well as end a 68-year absence from the Olympics.
Meanwhile, 2018 champions Uzbekistan can take another step towards becoming the first two-time winners of this competition and also seal a maiden qualification for the Olympic Games.
It is a showdown that Witan and Rakhmonaliev, both sturdy heads on young shoulders with plenty of experience, are ready for.
#AFCU23 | Semi Finals Preview
At 22, attacking midfielder Witan has made over 100 appearances across all age groups for the Garuda, including 44 caps for the senior team since 2021.
With one goal to his name, he has helped to account for five of Indonesia’s seven goals so far together with Rafael Struick (two) and Marselino Ferdinan (two), and the Persija Jakarta player believes they can trouble an Uzbekistan side who not conceded even once so far.
“During the matches, we play like how we train,” said Witan, who has also bagged one assist. “We follow the instructions from our head coach (Shin Tae-yong) and how he wants us to play, and that is why we can create chances and score goals.
“Tomorrow will be a tough match because we are playing against good opponents (but) the players are in good condition and we will fight more than (we did during the) last match.”
At 20, Rakhmonaliev is already featuring at his second AFC U23 Asian Cup™. Having played in the 2022 final, he went on to captain the Uzbekistan side to glory at the 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup™ on home soil and also notched two assists as they made it to the last 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023.
A 2-0 win against holders Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals has boosted the confidence of the Central Asians, who have a perfect record from four matches and are the second team to make it to four consecutive semi-finals.
“We are very happy to be here and tomorrow we have an important match, and we are ready,” said Rakhmonaliev, who scored the second against the Saudis. “Our last win was big for us and we are very motivated. But it is important to save our emotions and energy (for the upcoming game) and I think we have enough motivation for tomorrow’s match.”
One of a handful of players in the squad who ply their trade overseas along with Abdukodir Khusanov (Lens), Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev (Kairat) and Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow), Rakhmonaliev believes that his move to Rubin Kazan in Russia last January has helped him to grow.
“The Russian league has given me experience and improvement as a player, and I am sharing my experience with my teammates (when I am with the national team),” said the midfielder.
Experience will be needed to contain an Indonesian side boosted by their quarter-final win against Korea Republic.
“Indonesia have a strong team and they beat Korea Republic (in the quarter-finals). I think they are an improving young team and… we have analysed their side and we are ready for a tough game.”
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There is also European experience in the Indonesia side, with the likes of Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht), Marselino (KMSK Deinze), Struick (ADO Den Haag) and Nathan Tjoe (SC Heerenveen), and Witan, who himself has turned out for clubs in Slovakia, Serbia and Poland, is looking forward to matching wits in the last-four clash.
“I am focused on helping the team and we just want to achieve our target of going to the final,” he asserted. “Hopefully, we can win tomorrow and (go on to) be champions.”
