REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian U-23 soccer team is hoping for the support from football fans. The team to face the United Arab Emirates U-23 in the round of 16 of the 2018 Asian Games, which is scheduled to take place on Friday.
"We are surely hoping for the support from football fans, as they are our 12th player," said Coach assistant Bima Sakti in the Gelora Bung Karno B soccer field in Jakarta on Thursday.
Such support is important to this team. The cheers of thousands of supporters in the stadium translate into a special energy towards the Indonesian U-23 team in every match.
One of the examples was when Indonesia played against Hong Kong in the A group on Monday (Aug 20).
At the time, the team that is dubbed as the Young Garuda team, was lagging behind with the score 0-1. It did not stop the supporters from giving them the boost of confidence through chants, cheers, and the sound of musical instruments. They gave the team energy to improve their performance, eventually bringing them to victory with the end score of 3-1, as they scored three goals in the second half.
"We can definitely feel the support," he revealed.
Indonesian U-23 team's defender I putu Gede Juni Antara secures the ball during the group qualification match against Hongkong-China in Asian Games 2018 at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadion, Bekasi, West Java, Monday (August 20).
A similar statement was made by the Indonesian U-23 team's defender I Putu Gede Juni Antara. He believed that the supporters' encouragement has become a vital element for him and his teammates, as it motivates them to continue to perform to the best of their abilities.
"It adds motivation to all of us," he added.
The Indonesian U-23 team will play against the United Arab Emirates U-23 in the round of 16 of the 2018 Asian Games on Friday in Wibawa Mukti Stadium in Cikarang, West Java, starting from 4 p.m.. If they are able to beat the UAE, the Indonesian U-23 team will go against Bangladesh U-23 and North Korea U-23 match winner.
Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo said here on Thursday that the Indonesian athletes' performance at the 18th Asian Games was in line with the target set. He was satisfied with current's medals tally.
"On the achievement of winning gold medals, I can say that it is in compliance with the target," the president, known as Jokowi, said after a meeting with Indonesia's Muslim organization Muhammadiyah.
Indonesia has set a target to reach the 10th place in the Asian Games 2018 medal tally. "Our target is to reach the big 10, but if we can rank eighth, well, Alhamdulillah (thank God)," Jokowi said.
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