Puan: Tackle Asnawi And Arhan's Loops Are Not Cans

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JAKARTA - For the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, the match between the Indonesian national team (Timnas) and the Argentine national team has become a place to improve the quality of Indonesian players.

Puan watched the RI Vs Argentina national team match with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana at the VVIP stands at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Senayan, Central Jakarta, Monday 19 June) night. President Jokowi also invited his grandson, Jan Ethes.

In the VVIP stands, there are also a number of other state officials. Among them are SOE Minister Erick Tohir as well as General Chair of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and MPR Chairman Bambang Soesatyo. Puan praised the appearance of the national team even though it was ranked FIFA, the positions of Indonesia and Argentina were quite far apart.

"Although the FIFA rankings are very different, the struggle of the Indonesian players has succeeded in fighting back which is a hassle for the Argentine national team. The spirit of never giving up is extraordinary, salute!" said Puan, Tuesday, June 20.

During the match, Puan showed several tense attitudes when the Argentine national team tried to break into the Indonesian goal. He specifically appreciated the two Indonesian players who performed well during the match. They are the captain Asnawi Mangkualam and Pratama Arhan.

"Asnawi Mangkualam's Tackling and Pratama Arhan's throw were not cans. The Indonesian national team's resistance last night made me proud," said Puan.

As is known, the Garuda squad had to admit defeat with a final score of 0:2 for Argentina's victory in yesterday's friendly league match. Even though Indonesia lost, Puan admitted that she was proud of the efforts and hard work of the national team during the fight against the 2022 World Cup winning country team, especially since the defeat of the Red and White Team was not a landslide.

"This friendly match is a foothold for the Indonesian football national team to soar higher capabilities, because they can directly measure the ability of the game with standard in the class of the Argentine national team whose competence is unquestionable," said Bung Karno's grandson.

Puan supports a similar collaboration program so that it can be continued in the future. That way, the ability of the Indonesian national team can be recognized in Asia to the world.

"As a sport that is favored by the people of Indonesia, of course, the best achievement is the dream of the whole nation. With the programs to improve quality, we hope to make the dream of the Indonesian people see the national team winning the Asian tournament and even the world can be achieved," said Puan.

Seeing the enthusiasm of the community for yesterday's match, the first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives also encouraged PSSI to bring in a national team or player from another country to compete with the Indonesian national team. In particular, said Puan, players from countries that have the same quality as Argentina.

"To the Chairman of PSSI, I ask that more people bring in other national teams whose quality is better than our national team as a program to improve the quality of our players," the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture appealed.

"By bringing in world-class players, of course it will also cure the thirst of the longing of Indonesian fans to see directly that their idol players struggle to make the nation proud," concluded Puan.