As A Result Of The Malang Candidate Tragedy, PSSI Confirms The 2023 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification Without Spectators

The U-17 Asian Cup will be held without spectators. (Photo: Instagram,/@pssi)

JAKARTA - The All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) confirmed that all qualifying matches for the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup at Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong, will continue even though national football is grieving due to the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Saturday, October 1.

However, PSSI decided that the match would be held without spectators. A decision without spectators in the remainder of the match is a form of sympathy as well as anticipation of events such as the Kanjuruhan Tragedy.

"For the sake of security and comfort together and respecting and respecting our brothers and sisters who are grieving as a result of the incident that happened at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, [so] hereby the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification is officially carried out without spectators," PSSI wrote on official Instagram.

Qualification has been taking place from October 1 and will end on October 9.

"The refund system will apply to those of you who have given tickets," reads the national football parent statement.

Indonesia is in Group B with Guam, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, and Palestine. In the first match last Saturday, Malaysia succeeded in silencing Palestine four goals without reply, while the UAE pendam Guam had nine goals.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is scheduled to compete against Guam on Monday, October 3. On the same day the UAE will meet with Palestine.

Anyone who later leaves as an automatic group winner will immediately get a ticket to the final round next year. Meanwhile, the runner-up team will compete with 10 other runner-up teams to get the best six runner-up tickets.