Indonesia team lost 2nd friendly match before Asian Cup 2023

Coach Shin Tae-yong tried to put many naturalized players on the field and applied a 3-4-4 tactical formation. Star Justin Hubner - who plays for Wolverhampton in the English Premier League - was placed in the defensive midfield instead of the center back.

Dutch striker Rafael Struick also started alongside two familiar names Witan Sulaeman and Marselno Ferdinan. This personnel arrangement brought positive results. In the 6th minute, Ivan Jenner penetrated the opponent's penalty area and crossed for Sayuri to tap the ball into the goal to open the score.

But the gap in defense cost Indonesia dearly. Just 3 minutes later, Elsharimi unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box to equalize 1-1 for Libya.

In the 20th minute, Rizky Ridho made a silly mistake when he passed the ball without looking, allowing an opposing player to rush down and steal the ball. Ahmed Ekrawa easily scored in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Ari.

In the remaining time of the match, the Libyan team continued to play better and had many opportunities. Meanwhile, Indonesia's efforts only helped them not to concede more goals but could not find an equalizer.

So the Indonesian team has lost the first two friendly matches. They will move to Qatar and play a friendly match with Iran on January 9.

At the 2023 Asian Cup, Indonesia is in Group D with Iraq, Vietnam and Japan. Coach Shin Tae-yong and his team will meet Vietnam in the second match on January 19. This is a decisive match for the third place in the group. Iraq and Japan are rated higher than the two Southeast Asian representatives.