Support Indonesia U-23, Record Attendance in Qatar and Nobar throughout Indonesia

Tickets for the match between Indonesia and Uzbekistan have been sold out since Sunday (28/4/2024). The same thing also happened when Shin Tae-yong's team faced South Korea in the quarter-finals.

A total of 9,105 spectators witnessed Indonesia's victory over South Korea through a penalty shootout. This number is equivalent to 89 percent of the occupancy rate in the stands of Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, which has a capacity of 10,221 single seats.

The number of spectators at the match between Indonesia and South Korea was only surpassed by the number of spectators at the host team Qatar's match against Japan at Jassim vin Hamad Stadium, Al Rayyan. Japan's victory was watched by 9,573 spectators or 74 percent of the total capacity of the home stadium of Qatar League champions, Al Sadd SC.

The number of spectators at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium at the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup is certain to touch a new record again. This was based on the increase in orders for blocking tickets from the Indonesian diaspora to attend the Al Duhail club headquarters.

Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association in Qatar (IFQ) Vidi Viciyandrie said that the total number of blocking ticketorders for the semifinal match, which closed on Saturday (27/4/2024), reached 4,155 tickets. Then, that number increased by 300 tickets during the payment process, Sunday (28/4/2024).

In total, the blocking tickets that have been ordered and paid for by the Indonesian diaspora reached 4,455 tickets. This number has more than doubled compared to the 2,019 tickets paid via the blocking ticket method for the Indonesia versus South Korea match.

"In the match against South Korea, there were more than 9,000 spectators. The semifinal match will be truly packed. At least 85 percent of the stadium will be Indonesian supporters," said Vidi, who was contacted on Monday (April 29, 2024).

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Meanwhile, blocking tickets is a method of purchasing match tickets coordinated by the Indonesian Embassy in Qatar together with IFQ and Garuda Qatar, the official supporter group for the Indonesian diaspora in Qatar. The presence of this method is to facilitate Indonesian supporters who have problems purchasing tickets online via the Hayya application.

The distribution of the tickets was carried out through the Garuda Qatar regional coordinator based on the diaspora's city of residence. There are five regional coordinators handling the tickets, namely Al Khor, Dukhan, Messaid, Wakwuk, and Doha and Lusail.

Same price

Vidi added that some other Indonesian supporters also bought tickets online via Hayya. Ticket prices via Hayya and blocking tickets are priced the same.

The price for category one stands is 25 Qatari riyals or Rp. 111,000, then category two costs 15 Qatari riyals (Rp. 66,700). Then, there are also gold category tickets (gold) to sit in the naratama seats which can be redeemed for 200 Qatari riyals (Rp. 890,500) per ticket.

Also read: Semifinals are over, Olympics and champions are the next target of "Garuda Muda"

The semifinal matches will be absolutely packed. At least 85 percent in the stadium are Indonesian supporters.

Not only will they be present directly in the stadium stands and sing chants throughout the match, IFQ and Garuda Qatar will also enliven the stadium with support attributes. "We plan to add red and white flags and more cardboard in the stands," said Vidi.

Apart from the diaspora, the General Chair of PSSI Erick Thohir together with the Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo are scheduled to provide support in the naratama tribune of the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. Erick and Dito were also present at the last quarter-final match.

Uzbekistan U-23 Coach Timur Kapadze declared that his team is not afraid to play under the terror of thousands of Indonesian supporters. He emphasized that the Uzbekistan squad is accustomed to playing amid pressure from the opposing team's supporters.

"We also felt the support of thousands of Indonesian supporters at the last Asian Games meeting, but we were still able to achieve victory. So, we won't have any problems and I am confident that many of our supporters will also come to the stadium," Kapadze said at a press conference ahead of the match on Sunday.

Also read: Epos Ernando Ari Responds to Shin Tae-yong and Indonesia's Disappointment

Scattered

Support for the Garuda Muda squad is also available throughout Indonesia. Regional governments, including Surakarta City, Makassar City, Tangerang City and Klaten Regency, and the police, such as Jayapura City Police and West Aceh Police, have also announced an official watch together (nobar) agenda.

PSSI also held a free nobar agenda on the ring road at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and the North Plaza of the Gelora Bung Karno Complex, Jakarta. The Ministry of Youth and Sports carried out a similar thing which held a nobar at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Senayan, Jakarta.

La Grande Indonesia (LGI), one of the supporter groups of the Indonesian national team, plans to not concentrate its support in one place for watch parties. Ilham Sukrai from LGI's Communication Division stated that the LGI central management is giving freedom to regional coordinators to hold watch parties in their respective areas.

"We are returning to our respective city bases for a watch party event. This is to ensure that the euphoria of supporting the national team is felt equally throughout Indonesia. Hopefully, Indonesia can defeat Uzbekistan and qualify for the 2024 Olympics," said Ilham.