Optimistic about winning, thousands of national team supporters crowded GBK to watch Indonesia vs Iraq

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Thousands of supporters of the U-23 Indonesian National Team filled the North Plaza of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK), Jakarta, Thursday (2/5/2024) evening WIB. They came to GBK to watch together (nobar) and provide support to the Indonesian U-23 national team which will face Iraq in the race for third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

The Indonesia vs Iraq match which was held at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar started on Thursday at 22.30 WIB. However, hundreds of supporters have started to crowd GBK since 20.00 WIB.

The majority of supporters also came wearing Indonesian national team jerseys and other red and white attributes. Even though previously the Indonesian U-23 national team lost against Uzbekistan in the semifinals, the supporters' desire to defend the Garuda Muda team did not extinguish.

Adi (45), a supporter from Jakarta, is confident that the U-23 Indonesian National Team can win against Iraq. According to him, Garuda Muda has shown proof and must complete its mission to get to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“You have to win. You could say that it is very rare for our National Team to be close to qualifying for the Olympics. Looking at the National Team's game now, I am sure that the National Team can qualify, 1-0 for Indonesia,” said Adi to Beritasatu.com.

Not only men, the euphoria of the Indonesian U-23 national team at the Asian Cup was also felt by women. Rizka (27), a supporter from Majalengka, believes that Indonesia can beat Iraq at least with a narrow score. According to him, focus from the early minutes was the key for Garuda to achieve victory.

“I'm optimistic that Indonesia will win. Maybe the concern is that the national team must focus from the start. Don't be like yesterday's opponent Uzbekistan who only attacked late, but if you play like the previous matches, attacking from the start, I'm sure the national team will win. Prediction for the national team to win 2-1,” he said.

Previously, Indonesia and Iraq both lost in the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. Garuda Muda lost 0-2 to Uzbekistan, while Iraq was defeated 0-2 by Japan.

Winning in the match for third place will mean that Indonesia or Iraq will lock in one remaining ticket to qualify directly for the 2024 Olympics.