Guinea’s under-23 football team secured their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Indonesia’s under-23 squad in a play-off match held at the INF Clairefontaine in Paris on May 9th.
The decisive goal came from a first-half penalty by Ilaix Moriba, propelling Guinea to the Olympics for the first time since 1968.
The match, filled with tension, saw Guinea dominating early on, with Algassime Bah earning a penalty after a swift counter-attack. Moriba calmly converted the spot-kick, setting the stage for Guinea’s qualification.
Despite Indonesia’s spirited efforts, including a near miss by substitute Alfeandra Dewangga, they were unable to break through Guinea’s defense.
With this victory, Guinea completes the roster for the 16-team tournament at Paris 2024, joining Group A alongside host nation France, the USA, and New Zealand.
Despite the loss, Indonesia’s journey to the final hurdle reflects their progress under coach Shin Tae-yong. With a blend of experienced heritage players and promising local talent like Witan Sulaeman, Alfeandra Dewangga, and Marselino Ferdinan, Indonesia showcased their potential on the international stage, despite falling short of Olympic qualification this time.
