Imagine you're about to watch a lavish banquet and only to come up with a burger from a fast-food restaurant – that's what this year's U23 Asian Cup feels like. Don't look at the banquet in Doha, where the glittering venues are enough to turn any sporting event into an Oscars, but what about the ending? It's definitely a Hollywood blockbuster reversal!
Let's talk about the protagonists who were originally favored. The Saudi Olympic team, as the champion of the previous edition, was overshadowed in the match against Uzbekistan this time. South Korea, a long-time Olympic regular, lost to Indonesia on penalties. As for the hosts, Qatar, despite their home advantage and title, could not resist the strong attack of the Japanese team, and lost 2-4 in extra time.
The exit of these teams is undoubtedly the big news in the game. However, what is even more shocking is that the Indonesian Olympic team, ranked 134th in the world, not only reached the semifinals, but also won the Olympic Games. It seems that this game is not only a contest of skills, but also an unexpected surprise.
But we can't just focus on these accidents, but also on the unsung heroes. For example, the Iraqi Olympic team, despite the dominance of the field, has not been able to score. Luckily, they managed to secure the win against Vietnam through a crucial penalty. In doing so, they reached the semi-finals along with Japan, Uzbekistan and Indonesia.
For Indonesia, their success is not without a trace. The addition of many naturalized players to the team has significantly improved their overall strength. It also makes us reflect on the importance of naturalized players in current football tactics. In contrast, the naturalization of Chinese football seems to be in its infancy, which partly explains why the Chinese Olympic team said goodbye to the tournament early.
As the semi-finals approach, Iraq will face a skilled Japan, while Uzbekistan will face a surging Indonesia. These two games are not only a contest of technique and tactics, but also a test of the team's willpower. After all, winning the competition means directly qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
This Asian Cup has been full of twists and surprises, proving the unpredictability of football matches. And for those underrated teams, such as the Indonesian Olympic team, their every attack and defense is full of the desire to win. Let's wait and see who the ultimate winner of this lavish banquet will be.
"On the field, you don't have to preset the result to witness the miracle. "It's not just an encouragement to the players, it's a revelation to every football fan. Every pass and shot in the Asian Cup is a dream for the future. And we, the audience, are witnesses to this dream.
Now, let me ask you which team do you think will create more "miracles" in the next competition?