President Jokowi Shows Full Support for U-23 National Team Against Jordan

President Jokowi Sunday (04/21) plays football with children at the Gorontalo military field in Gorontalo. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

Ahead of the match between the Indonesian and Jordanian U-23 national football teams in the group phase of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed hope that the Indonesian national team could achieve the best results in the match.

“We pray for them so that our national team, the Indonesia U-23 national team in the Asian Cup, can dominate the match, score as many goals as possible, and avoid red cards,” the President said at the Gorontalo military field in Gorontalo.

According to the President, the friendly match with children on the field was a form of support for the Indonesian national team in their upcoming match against Jordan that will be held at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Qatar.

“We must be ready for everything. We are preparing the strategy. The players are all fit and equipped with good skills. God willing, the preparation this afternoon in Gorontalo will have an impact on the match in Doha, Qatar between the Indonesian national team and the Jordan team,” he said.

The Garuda Muda team is ranked second in the Group A standings with 3 points from two matches. In the first match, Shin Tae-yong’s team lost 0-2 against hosts Qatar, then won 1-0 against Australia in the second match.

Indonesia needs at least a draw to secure a ticket to the next round, while Jordan must win over Indonesia.

Host Qatar has already secured itself through to the next phase after pocketing 6 points from two matches. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/EP)