President Jokowi Praises National Team Despite Loss to Iraq in AFC Asian Cup

President Jokowi delivers his statement at the Sumbu Kebangsaan open space in the IKN area, Wednesday (01/17) (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Kris)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (01/17) expressed appreciation for the Indonesian National Team fighting spirit during a match against Iraq in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar on Monday (01/15), even though the match ended in a 3-1 loss to Iraq.

“I noticed that it was still a good match. The ball is round; we might win or lose. Anything is possible during a match,” the President said in his statement when visiting  Sumbu Kebangsaan open space area in the Nusantara Capital (IKN).

According to President Jokowi, building a solid national team takes time. He also lauded the Indonesian youth who joined the national team because they play an essential role in the future of the Indonesian national team.

“We are pleased that the youngest participants are from the Indonesian national team. They have an average age of under 24 years. I think it’s very good for the future of our national team in medium and long terms,” he remarked.

For the record, after losing to Iraq, Indonesia ranked fourth in the standings of group D of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and will face Vietnam in the next match. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AP/RAS/MMB)