Indonesian National Team Loses to Malaysia at ASEAN Para Games 2023, Minister of Youth and Sports: I'm Still Proud

Dream - The Indonesian cerebral palsy (CP) football team had to admit the superiority of the Malaysian national team in the final match of the CP Football event at the ASEAN Para Games 2023. Indonesia had to settle for a silver medal with a score of 2-4.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, highly appreciated the match that took place at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

"I really appreciate and am very proud to see the struggle of our friends," said Dito.

"Alhamdulillah, our team's performance was very good even though we were not lucky enough to win, but we can see how our friends managed to hold the draw and fight for the Red and White," he continued.

The match between the two teams in the final game had few goals from the beginning of the first half. Both teams only scored 1-1 through Mohamad Sobri (Malaysia) and Diki Hendrawan.

This result lasted until the end of the normal 90-minute period. Even in the additional 30-minute period, there were no additional goals. Both teams had to enter a penalty shootout. In the process, Indonesia lost with a penalty shootout score of 1-3.

"In the beginning, we managed to hold Malaysia to a 1-1 draw. Malaysia was also overwhelmed, but because of time constraints, we had to rely on a penalty shootout. In a penalty shootout, luck is not the deciding factor for Indonesia," said Dito.

"What is certain is that we see our Indonesian CP football successfully reaching the final round of the ASEAN Para Games, and we will prepare more programs for the future after evaluating the existing potential," he added.

The captain of the Indonesian CP football team, Yahya Hernanda, expressed his gratitude to the entire community for their prayers and support until reaching the final round of the CP football event at the ASEAN Para Games 2023.

"Thank you to the entire Indonesian community who have supported the Indonesian team throughout the competition until now. But, we apologize for not being able to win the gold medal even though we have tried our best, but perhaps the path has not led us to the gold. Once again, on behalf of the CP football team, I apologize and promise to play better in the future," said Yahya.