SEA Games: President Jokowi Congratulates Indonesian Football Team on Winning Gold Medal

The Under-22 national football team poses for a group photo after winning the gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, Tuesday (05/16). (Photo by: the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI))

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (05/16) has expressed happiness over the Under-22 national football team players for winning the men’s football gold medal match against Thailand at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

According to the President, the achievement was the result of all parties’ hard work.

“Congratulations to all players, athletes, officials, and others on winning the gold. We have been taking many years of effort since it is a continuous game. We also prepared the players at the national training camp. This is incredible,” the President said in his statement at Si Bolang Durian in Medan, North Sumatra.

The President also assessed that the national football players in the match fought with a winning mentality.

“I am beyond happy for a 5-2 dramatic win over Thailand. As I said earlier, they obviously have a great winning mentality. The players fight without a burden, yet we have ended our 32-year-long wait by winning,” he said.

On that occasion, the Head of State pointed out the course of football match between Indonesia and Thailand.

“Ramadan Sananta scored the first and the second goals. Irfan Jauhari later scored the third goal, which raised enthusiasm. Then in the second extra time, Fajar Fathur Rahman scored the fourth goal and Beckham Putra scored the fifth goal,” the President explained.

“I was surprised that we still netted another goal since the opponent defended against our player,” he added.

President Jokowi watched the football match between Indonesia and Thailand at the Medan Mayor’s official residence.

In front of the big screen, the President raised his hands several times as a form of celebration every time the national team scored a goal.

The peak of enthusiasm was seen when the national team made a comeback during extra time and managed to score three goals at once, which finally led Indonesia to win with a final score of 5-2 against Thailand.

As a form of celebrating the national team’s victory in the match, the President treated the entire group taking part in his working visit with durian.

“This afternoon, I made a promise that if the national team wins, I will treat the ministers, the governor, and others with durian at Si Bolang. And since we win, I keep my words then,” the President said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RIF/LW)