Erick Thohir: The World Can See Indonesian Football Waking Up from Sleep

– Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir hopes that the world can see Indonesian football waking up from sleep through the FIFA Match Day match between Indonesia and the Argentina national team.

“First, how does the world see our football waking up from sleep, and this is proven by the presence of the world champion team in Indonesia,” said Erick Thohir at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK), Jakarta, Monday (19/6/2023) Evening.

Apart from that, according to Erick, the match against the Argentine national football team which has won the world three times also aims to mentally prepare the Indonesian national team to face other matches.

“This is part of testing our courage and mental resilience so that our national team is ready for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches. Even though our target is 2038, who knows, we will try our best,” he explained.

Erick also hopes that the match against Argentina will increase the sense of nationalism among the people. According to him, a sense of nationalism can grow through unity in supporting the Indonesian national team.

“This is proven by the presence of supporters from Madura, Singkawang, Sumatra, Solo, Java, who unite regardless of ethnicity or religion, the important thing is the Red and White. Nationalism can only be built through the Red and White,” he explained.

Erick also expressed his gratitude for the high enthusiasm of the people for the Indonesian football match against Argentina. He hopes that the Indonesian sports industry can rise, along with increased achievements.

“I feel that this enthusiasm is extraordinary, and this is what we hope for so that our sports industry can rise, but our achievements must also increase,” he said.

Indonesia must acknowledge Argentina’s strength and accept a 0-2 defeat in the FIFA Match Day match at the GBK Main Stadium on Monday night. Leandro Paredes’ long-range shot and Cristian Romero’s header broke into Ernando Ari’s goal.

This result closed the series of FIFA Match Day schedules for the Indonesian national team in June, after previously playing in a 0-0 draw against Palestine at the Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, on Wednesday (14/6) last week.

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