Jokowi Upbeat on Indonesia's Win over Philippines in World Cup Qualifier
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11 June 2024 17:11 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi expressed optimism that the national football team will win against the Philippines in the second round of the Asian Zone 2026 World Cup qualifiers, slated to be held at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 11, at 19:30 Jakarta time.
He planned to watch the match directly at the stadium. “Win, win, win. [I’ll] watch it. We will win,” he said confidently in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, June 11.
Indonesia needs one more win to qualify for the third round. At present, the Garuda squad sits second in Group F with seven points, one point ahead of Vietnam. The Golden Star Warriors will host Iraq in their final match on Wednesday, June 12.
Should Indonesia lose to the Philippines, their chances of advancing to the next stage will depend on the result of the Vietnam-Iraq match. Indonesia played out a 1-1 draw against the Philippines in their previous match.
Earlier, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir asked the national team coached by Shin Tae-yong not to underestimate their opponents. He believed the Azkals would put up a stiff fight against the Garuda, even though they had already failed to qualify for the third round.
“It won’t be an easy match because the Philippines have the same program as us, which is to call Filipino players abroad to play [the World Cup qualifiers],” Erick said after the 2024 PSSI Congress at the Shangri-La Hotel in Central Jakarta, on Monday, June 10.
DANIEL A. FAJRI
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