Appreciating Asnawi Cs’ Struggle, Jokowi Asks the Indonesian National Team to Often Fight Strong Teams

– Even though the Indonesian national team lost to Argentina, President Jokowi still appreciates the struggle squad Shin Tae Yong. Jokowi admitted, it was not easy to make squad Garuda against a world-class team like Argentina, which is currently ranked number one in the world.

“This is Argentina, once again in first place, we (rank) 149, only conceded 2 (goals), extraordinary,” Jokowi said as quoted by PSSI’s official website.

According to him, a FIFA matchday with a big team like Argentina is needed to improve the Indonesian national team’s playing experience. Jokowi is sure that PSSI under the leadership of Erick Thohir will again bring in great teams to compete with Indonesia.

“So we have more experience, our team has more competition, more experience,” Jokowi said.

Jokowi further praised the efforts of PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir in bringing in the Argentine team which won the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

“Bringing in a big club like this, let alone ranking first, it’s not easy if the chairman of the PSSI is not Pak Erick Thohir. We have to say it as it is,” said Jokowi.

Erick Thohir, who stood beside Jokowi, smiled happily. Erick seemed satisfied watching the development of the national team which was able to keep up with Argentina’s game even though they lost 0-2. President Jokowi hopes that the match against Argentina will be the start of the revival of Indonesian football.

Jokowi also praised the game of Indonesian players. Despite losing 0-2, the players showed hard work throughout the match. Moreover, the FIFA rankings of the two countries are far apart.

Erick also seemed satisfied with Indonesia’s game even though in the first half he seemed pressured by Argentina, which was studded with world-class stars.

According to Erick, Indonesian players have shown great courage by creating many dangerous opportunities that made the Argentine goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, fall up and down.

“The mentality of never giving up and continuing to fight must be maintained in the next matches. Let’s continue to improve the quality of Indonesian football, bringing Garuda to the world,” Erick wrote on his social media account.