Revealed! Indonesian U-22 National Team Player Mentally Had Down In The 2023 SEA Games Final

Indonesian U-22 national team players won the Cambodia 2023 SEA Games gold medal. (Photo: Twitter/@PSSI)

JAKARTA - The U-22 Indonesian national team ended their thirst for the SEA Games gold medal after becoming champions in Cambodia. This achievement certainly was not achieved easily.

In fact, Indra Sjafri's foster children were mentally down in the final against Thailand. This was acknowledged by the captain, Rizky Ridho Ramadani.

He then told how to strengthen the mentality of the Young Garuda before finally winning dramatically with a score of 5-2.

"When I was down in the last minutes, then Marsel (Marselino Ferdinand) cried, he said he was tired, what should I do, if I can be honest I'm also tired and down because I only have a few seconds left," Rizky told reporters in Surabaya.

However, as the captain who is given the responsibility to protect all players, he has to calm the team even in difficult circumstances.

"Because I was given the responsibility as captain, I tried to calm them down and I said let's force it to stay a little more, we are better than them," he said, as quoted from Antara.

As for the incident off the field, he continued, he could not fully control it because he had to escort players on the pitch.

"But I tried to intervene when there was an argument at that time. Never mind, we didn't have to (fight), we were 3-2 ahead, let's focus so we can win, I mean separate but instead I got hit," he said.

In fact, the player who has a height of 183 centimeters is not aware of being hit. "It was only after the video went viral that I just found out, that's okay," said Ridho.

According to the player who is currently in the uniform of Persija Jakarta, this incident was his first experience since playing in the Indonesian national team squad.

However, Ridho admitted that he was more nervous when competing against Vietnam in the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games semifinal match.

"Honestly, I was more nervous against Vietnam, I didn't expect to win, when it was only an additional seven minutes in my heart I said, how come it took so long and at that time we lost someone. We lost one player because we were hit by a red card, yes, that's God's way by giving us a win," he said.

The Indonesian U-22 National Team ended the 32-year gold medal wait from the soccer sport thanks to a 5-2 win over Thailand in the final match played at the National Stadium, Phnom Penh, May 16.

Garuda Muda did not get the victory easily. After winning 2-0 in the first half, Thailand was able to equalize to 2-2 before normal time ended.

However, Indonesia was then able to secure a gold medal thanks to an additional three goals in extra time.

In addition, Ridho added, if the Indonesian national team was called to compete in the Asian Games, he would certainly be very grateful and would try even harder.

"If I am called again at the Asian Games, I am very grateful and will try even harder, because the Asian Games are even tougher," he said.