Trial Of The Indonesian National Team Against Palestine And Argentina Don't Just Be A Show

Indonesian National Team striker, Dimas Drajad practiced shooting the ball at Thor Field, Surabaya in preparation for FIFA Matchday against Palestine and Argentina. (PSSI)

JAKARTA Bringing the Palestinian and Argentine football teams to Indonesia for a test match against the Garuda Squad does provide a positive value, especially in terms of morals, not only for the players but also for the Indonesian people.

The test match against the Palestinian national team in FIFA Matchday on June 14, 2023, is certainly an affirmation of Indonesia's attitude towards Palestine. PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir even called it a match full of brotherhood values.

The match is believed to further strengthen diplomatic relations that have long been built between the two countries. Moreover, PSSI is ready to donate 10 percent of ticket sales for the struggle of the Palestinian people.

In addition, the test match against Palestine has also become a memontum for the Indonesian national team to be able to penetrate the top 100 FIFA rankings. Currently, Indonesia is still ranked 149, while Palestine is ranked 93rd.

"Even though it's not easy, you have to be serious about getting points. You have to give your best," Erick said in his statement.

Meanwhile, FIFA Matchday against Argentina on June 19, 2023 can also be a momentum to hone the mentality of the Garuda Squad against big teams, especially Argentina, the world number one team today after winning the 2022 World Cup.

"Good for experience. Performance is also extraordinary. It's not easy to bring them in," said national football observer Kesit Budi Handoyo when confirmed on June 13, 2023.

Namun, yang menjadi pertanyaan, lanjut Kesit, apakah pengalaman itu bisa membuat pemain-main Indonesia bisa lebih hebat pada masa depan?

Indeed, the results cannot be instant, but at least the presence of Argentina is also balanced with clear guidelines for Indonesian football to excel. This also includes the welfare of players.

So far, Indonesia has brought in big football teams for test matches. Had brought Uruguay, who is a semifinalist in the 2010 World Cup and 2010 World Cup finalists, the Netherlands in 2013.

However, it was just a show, not having an excessive impact on Indonesian football except for praise that Indonesian football has potential.

The Coordinator of Save Our Soccer (SOS) Akmal Marhali also hopes that Argentina's arrival can give something different. Not only competing for 90 minutes but followed up with various other collaborations, such as coaching clinics with Argentine legends or being a promotional platform for young Indonesian players playing in Argentine clubs.

"If you just come, compete, take photos together, it means just a show," said Akmal on the YouTubeComcomeo Channel.

Cannot provide excessive benefits for the Indonesian national team other than the experience of competing. Moreover, efforts to bring Argentina to Indonesia are claimed without going through the promoter.

Financial benefits are not a problem, but if you lose the impact it will be felt. This is because the costs incurred are very large. For match views, it is reported that it reaches 5 million US dollars or more than Rp. 70 billion.

Not to mention the cost of accommodation and transportation and deals specifically for star players. Like Leonel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, or Julian Alvarez who won the line with Manchester City. "If all are calculated, the estimated costs can reach Rp. 100 billion," said Akmal.

It's a shame if you lose because that value can actually be used for other things that provide more benefits for the development of Indonesian football, for example the development of a training center or strengthening youth competition.

Although PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir did not clearly explain the sources and costs incurred to bring in Argentina, Kesit also estimates that the costs incurred are not much different from the rumors circulating.

"It's too expensive, especially since the Indonesian national team is at a very different level from Argentina," he said.

"Don't talk about money. You believe we are building a transparent PSSI, we believe this is not just a commercial but a mental development for the national team. The price cannot be calculated with money," continued Erick.

Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) researcher Ahmad Heri Firdaus projects that Argentina's FIFA Matchday event will benefit the Indonesian economy, it can even generate a circulation of IDR 500 billion.

Not only from ticket sales, but also from other aspects. Merchandise, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, accommodation, transportation, food and beverage industry players, including MSME players.

"So it is estimated that until the end of the day, economic activities from upstream to downstream to downstream to derivative industries will be more crowded because they are encouraged by this match," said Ahmad.

As is known, the match against Palestine will take place at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya. Exco PSSI, Arya Sinulingga claimed as many as 40 thousand tickets had been sold out since four days before the match.

Tickets for the Indonesian versus Palestinian national team are priced at IDR 250 thousand for VIPs and IDR 100,000 for the economy.

Likewise, 60 thousand tickets for the match between the Indonesian national team and Argentina at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium are priced from Rp600 thousand to Rp4 million. Sold out in just a matter of minutes.