The AFF Cup Giant Trophy Attracts The Indonesian National Team's Supporter Interest
JAKARTA - The AFF Cup trophy as high as about 1.5 meters attracted the fans of the Indonesian national team who were present at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, to watch the squad's match nicknamed "Garuda" against Cambodia in Group A of the 2022 AFF Cup.
"The supporters are very enthusiastic, maybe because they haven't watched the national team in SUGBK for a long time," said Alia, one of the sponsors of the 2022 AFF Cup, to Antara.
Alia continued, the fans' passion was shown with their enthusiasm to take pictures with the AFF Cup trophy displayed at SUGBK during the Indonesian national team playing home.
The supporters' attitude shows hope for the squad nicknamed "Garuda" to win the 2022 AFF Cup which, if this happens, will be the first title for the Indonesian national team.
"Audiences like celebrating this AFF Cup," said Alia, adding that every fan who takes pictures with a giant AFF Cup trophy will get a pair of applause balloons that can be used to support the struggle of the Indonesian national team.
One of the supporters, Hendri, agrees that he is really excited to support the national team directly in SUGBK.
This is because the last time the Indonesian national team competed in SUGBK was in 2019, precisely in the 2022 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone.
"In addition, the composition of the national team players is now quite promising. I am optimistic that Indonesia won the AFF Cup this time," said the man from Depok.
The Indonesia versus Cambodia match, which became the first football match with spectators in Indonesia after the incident at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, will take place starting at 16.30 WIB.
According to the results of a coordination meeting with stakeholders including the National Police, PSSI only provided around 25,000 tickets for spectators who wanted to watch the match live at SUGBK.
The maximum capacity of SUGBK is in the range of 77,000 spectators.
The plan is that President Joko Widodo and Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali will watch Indonesia's match against Cambodia live.