Issues Of Supporter Threats In Indonesia, Bahrain Coach Firmly Denies

Bahrain players can train comfortably in Jakarta amid the issue of threats from supporters (Instagram/@bahraint).

JAKARTA - Bahrain coach, Dragan Talajic, denied the issue of the threat of supporters that arose when his team traveled to the headquarters of the Indonesian national team. He said, good treatment was actually accepted when his team arrived in Jakarta.

Bahrain will visit the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, which is the headquarters of the Indonesian national team. The meeting of the two teams in the 2026 World Cup Qualification will take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 20.45 WIB.

"I can say thank you to the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) for a good service for us, as well as to Indonesia who welcomed our arrival well," said Talajic during a press conference ahead of the match on Monday, March 24, 2025.

"I know people are talking on social media (about threats). However, I know Indonesians are not. You are very good, we are enjoying our time in Indonesia," he said again.

Threats to supporters are not without reason. The reason is, tense situations occurred after the first match on October 10, 2024.

After the match which ended 2-2, Indonesian netizens threatened Bahrain players and vented their emotions because of the match which was considered to be one-sided to the Bahrain team.

At that time, Bahrain scored the equalizer in the 90+9 minute. In fact, the injury time period was only six minutes. It was this referee's decision that made Indonesian netizens furious.

In the aftermath of this incident, the Bahrain Football Federation (BFA) even asked for Indonesia's home match to be held in a neutral place. However, in the end FIFA still decided that the Indonesia vs Bahrain match would be held in Jakarta.