Menpora Urges Supporter Criticism To Be Improved For Garuda Squad

Indonesian Menpora Dito Ariotedjo (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo appealed to Indonesian national team players to make criticism from supporters who are widespread on social media as evaluation material to perform better.

"I also urge the players to read negative comments on social media, make it a note but don't put it into the heart," he quoted Antara as saying.

He said this was in response to the widespread criticism from supporters of Indonesian national team players after being defeated by Iraq with a score of 2-0 in the second round of Asian zone 2026 World Cup qualifiers which took place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Thursday (6/6).

Various arguments by netizens responded to coach Shin Tae-yong's squad's game, including highlighting the failure of Indonesian national team goalkeeper Ernando Ari to manage "the round skin" which resulted in the creation of a second goal from the Mesopotamian Lion.

Dito said that he as Menpora and the athletes of the Garuda squad could be considered as people who are responsible to the public so that they always face the consequences of getting praise and blasphemy.

Criticism from supporters, he said, can be seen as a form of public concern for the Indonesian national team.

"This is a new phenomenon where support for supporters for the national team is increasing rapidly," he said.

He said criticism from the public could be a motivation for national team players to evaluate the game so that they can win the next match against the Philippines national team.

Welcoming the match, Dito also invited national team supporters to enliven social media with positive comments to encourage the national team to succeed in pocketing full points when hosting the Philippines.

The Indonesian national team will play the next important match in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Philippines national team at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Tuesday (11/6) at 19.30 WIB.

The match was decisive for Marselino Ferdinand and his friends to take the next step in the third round of the Asian zone 2026 World Cup qualifiers.