Mocked Korean Soccer... Indonesian Goalkeeper Displays Unsportsmanlike Conduct Toward Penalty Missers

Korean Soccer Fails to Qualify for Olympic Finals After 40 Years

The Hwang Sun-hong-led team lost to Shin Tae-yong's Indonesia in a fierce battle that went all the way to a penalty shootout, failing to qualify for the Olympic finals for the 10th consecutive time. Amid this, controversy arose as the Indonesian goalkeeper appeared to mock Lee Kang-hee (Gyeongnam) during the match.

The South Korean men's under-23 (U-23) football team, led by Coach Hwang, played against Indonesia in the quarterfinals of the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup on the 26th (Korean time) at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. After a 2-2 draw over 120 minutes including extra time, they lost 10-11 in the penalty shootout. This marks the first time in 40 years since the 1984 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics that South Korean football has failed to reach the Olympic stage.

In the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup quarterfinals, Indonesian goalkeeper Hernando Ari Sutariadi is making a gesture that seems to mock player Lee Kang-hee. [Image source=Online community]

On that day, the Korean players leveled the score at 2-2 in the 39th minute of the second half with a goal by Jeong Sang-bin (Minnesota United), pushing the match into extra time. However, a double misfortune struck when Coach Hwang received a red card and was sent off after protesting during stoppage time of the second half. From the second half of extra time, South Korea deployed a two-line defense, and ultimately the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Both teams missed only their 6th kickers in succession, with all other penalty kicks being successful, leading to the 12th kicker stepping up to the penalty spot.

When South Korea’s 12th kicker Lee Kang-hee’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Indonesian goalkeeper Hernando Ari Sutariadi made a mocking gesture by shaking his body toward the disappointed Lee Kang-hee. The referee immediately showed a yellow card upon seeing this, but the goalkeeper appeared indifferent. Subsequently, Indonesian defender Pratama Arhan, who plays for Suwon FC in K League 1, scored the final shot that hit the goalpost, securing victory for Indonesia.

[Image source=Online Community]

Meanwhile, Indonesia is challenging to qualify for the finals for the first time in 68 years since the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Indonesia will compete against the winner of Uzbekistan vs. Saudi Arabia on the 29th at 11 p.m. for a place in the final.