SEA Games Hanoi 2021 Football: Embassy Of The Republic Of Indonesia Asked To Help Mobilize Supporters When The Indonesian National Team Vs Vietnam

The Indonesian national team trains in preparation for Vietnam in the 2021 SEA Games Hanoi soccer branch. (Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) for Vietnam will help mobilize supporters in the inaugural match of Group A of the Hanoi 2021 SEA Games football branch.

The Indonesian U-23 national team is scheduled to meet hosts Vietnam at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho city on Friday, May 6. This match starts at 19:00 local time.

Chef de Mission (CdM) Indonesian Contingent Ferry Kono said that the Indonesian Embassy had expressed a willingness to help mobilize the audience. Although there are not many Indonesian citizens in Hanoi, their presence is very much needed to inject the spirit of the Garuda squad.

"We hope that at least there will be a special spot for supporters. The number is not a measure, but the presence of the audience is expected to encourage players. I myself hope that players will not be afraid to face the host," said Ferry in an official statement received by Antara Thursday, May 5.

Status as the host certainly provides its own advantages for Vietnam. They will get full support from the public itself.

Ferry predicts that the pressure from home fans on the U-23 Indonesian national team will be very large. For this reason, he hopes that Saddil Ramdani and his colleagues can maintain their mentality and not be provoked.

"The match against Vietnam is crucial. We will actively communicate with VIESGOC and ensure that the match will run according to the rules and uphold fairness," said Ferry.

Vietnam and Indonesia are the leading teams in Group A. These two teams are predicted to continue their steps to the next round.

Apart from being with Vietnam, Group A of the Hanoi 2021 SEA Games football is also filled with Timor Leste, the Philippines and Myanmar. Indonesia is pegged to bring home a gold medal after in the previous edition in the Philippines 2019 and then got a silver.