Marc Klok Says About Being A Penalty Executioner That Determines The U-23 National Team's Victory Over Malaysia At The 2021 SEA Games: If It Fails, Netizens Are Ready To Destroy Me

Marc Klok (Instagrammarcklok)

JAKARTA - Marc Klok successfully became the executioner in the penalty shootout that led the U-23 Indonesian national team to win a bronze medal at the 2021 SEA Games. Behind this success, Klok apparently had a fear of being invaded by Indonesian netizens.

In the meeting against Malaysia at Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium, Vietnam, Sunday, May 22 afternoon WIB, the U-23 Indonesian national team won via a penalty shootout after normal time the match ended with a score of 1-1.

At this moment, Klok appeared as the fifth kicker which also ensured Indonesia's victory with a 4-3 score. Before becoming the executor, Klok admitted that he first practiced penalty kicks.

"After every practice, I always practice kicking penalties. Before the penalty shootout the coach said I would take the third one, but I had a feeling and said he wanted to take the fifth penalty and he said okay," Klok said as quoted from the PSSI website.

With his status as the executioner in the penalty shootout, Klok is also aware that a big risk awaits him. If successful, he will bring Indonesia to victory. But if he fails, he realizes that netizens' blasphemy will haunt him.

"Momentum came, I took the last penalty and I know if I score, we are third, but if it fails, netizens are ready to destroy me," said the Dutch-born midfielder.

"But this is football, I am happy and calm when taking penalties. I already know where to kick. I am happy with the team, we all worked hard today because it was very difficult," Klok continued.

Despite the fear that had overshadowed him, Klok's presence in the Garuda Muda squad for the 2021 SEA Games was included in the senior player category. Besides Klok, two other senior players called by Shin Tae-yong are Ricky Kambuaya and Fachrudin. The three of them are the coach's mainstay players.