Watch 2021 SEA Games Between Indonesia Vs Malaysia National Team To Get Bronze Medal With Sandy Walsh, PSSI Chairman: Honestly I'm Tense

The chairman of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan, admitted that he was watching the tense match between the Indonesian U-23 National Team against Malaysia in the SEA Games bronze medal match in 2021. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of PSSI, Mochamad Iriawan, praised the performance of the Indonesia U-23 National Team which won the bronze medal at the 2021 SEA Games. He admitted that he was tense watching the match between the Garuda Muda Squad and Malaysia at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, May 22.

The man who is familiarly called Iwan Bule watched this match together with the player who wants to be naturalized, Sandy Walsh, at the PSSI office.

"Honestly, I was nervous. That's why I didn't react much during the penalty shootout," said PSSI's chairman after the match, on the federation's official website.

"But when we confirmed that we got the bronze medal, I finally relieved. This is the best result we can get," he continued.

The Indonesian U-23 national team actually appeared with a minimal squad. There are only three fit players on the bench, namely goalkeeper Muhammad Adisatryo, striker Muhammad Ridwan, and right-back Ilham Rio Fahmi.

The names of Egy Maulana Vikri and Syahrian Abhimanyu were actually on the reserve list, but were unable to play due to injury.

"The composition against Malaysia is actually mediocre. However, you see the fighting spirit of the players is extraordinary," said Iriawan.

"Physically they are very drained. Even Dewangga had to be pulled out due to injury, but it did not relax the players to continue playing spartan," he continued.

In that match, the U-23 Indonesian National Team was actually superior to Ronaldo Kwateh in the 69th minute. Malaysia then equalized through Muhammad Hadi in the 80th minute.

The 1-1 score went straight to the penalty shootout without any extra time. The goalkeeper of the Indonesian national team, Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, became a hero by thwarting two Malaysian executioners. The Red and White Team won 4-3.