When I Became the 12th Indonesian National Team Soccer Player

Hello, today i am in the mood writing in english. So, let me tell you some story when i was going to Jakarta 7th December 2010. Before i start, i can assure you, this story will be different with my other one, because this  is not only about my first experience but also this is my first time i write a post in english.. =p

7th December 2010, when all muslim people in around the globe had a new Hijriyah year celebration (1st Muharram 1432 H), i and my friends who were formed in a family, GTX laboratory’s assistant, went to the wedding reception of the one of our GTX family part in Jakarta. Do you know when i left Bandung? Haha please don’t be surprised, 4.30 am!!! But if we can realize, travel at dawn is a really good idea as we know that Jakarta is indonesian city which very prone of traffic jams. Then, our travel was very smooth, no traffic jam. Applause to Mr. wang_try who had that idea… Good job, man.. 😀

2 hours later, we arrived at the place (Tanah Abang, Jakarta). Actually, wedding reception would be started at 11.00 am as the schedule. You certainly know what it’s like waiting from 6.30 am until 11.00 am. But in this story, i won’t tell too much detail about the wedding reception. The one that i want to tell you is the story when i became the 12th Indonesian national team soccer player.

Wedding reception was ended at 1.00 pm in the afternoon, the new couple will have a good special time after it, hehe.. May Allah bless them. Amin. And then i and my friends wanted to spend the rest of that day with something incredibly new. As we know, Jakarta has so many beautiful urban place to visit (i.e: Monas, Ancol, TMII, etc), you will dissapointed if you set your foot in Jakarta without spending time to go around that city. And then we decided to go to Gelora Senayan where AFF Cup had been held. And that night would be Indonesia VS Thailand match. As the conclusion is we were in the right place, at the right time. So coincidentally!

That day, we arrived at Gelora Senayan at 2.00 pm. Whereas the match would be started at 7.30 pm, the stadium has already crowded by the fans and merchants. At that time we bought ticket directly to the ticket counter. And then 6 tickets had already bought, standard class, top tribune, 5th-8th sector. Each ticket worth Rp 50.000, this would be different if we bought the ticket on ticket pander that could reach about 2 to 3 fold than the normal price.

And then, at the evening after maghrib prayers, we went directly to the stadium. Gelora Senayan suddenly became a red sea, about 90% fans weared red uniform as the colour of Indonesian national team uniform. I could not believe, that is my first time i watched soccer game live from the stadium. The greatest moment i have ever feel is when all of the fans in the stadium sang Indonesian national anthem (Indonesia Raya) together. A powerfull aura of togetherness felt by us. This is our beloved Indonesia, this is soccer that we all loved.

Before kick-off, both of Thailand and Indonesian squad was announced. Indonesian coach, Alfred Riedl, brought youth line-up at the matchday. The female fans shouted with joy while the announcer was saying “Irfan Bachdim”. He was one naturalized player of Indonesian national team in addition Christian Gonzales, Kim Kurniawan, Alessandro Trabucco, etc. Kick-Off started at 8.00 pm together with cheering spectators. From 1st minute, Thailand team dominating the ball possesion towards Indonesian national team. You can guess, we felt bored because there was no goal until the end of the 1st half and our team we support wasn’t played good enough.

15 minutes later, kick-off of the 2nd half started. We supporters felt anxious our team cannot win. And then, what we afraid to happen finally happened. A header from Thailand player gave a score to Thailand team. Not long after that, Irfan Bachdim and Oktovianus Maniani substituted to bench and then Bambang Pamungkas and Arif Suyono took their place. That because Irfan Bachdim wasn’t played well. Fortunately, the referee pointed the penalty spot when Indonesian player (Christian “el loco” Gonzales) was fouled by Thailand player in the penalty area. With composure, Bambang Pamungkas executed penalty kick well. And the score became 1-1. We supporters shouted “Yo, ayoo, ayo Indooonesia.. kuingiiiin, kita harus menaang!!!” encourage our team to make more attacking moves. And finally, BP20 became hero again when referee gave penalty kick to Indonesia because when the Indonesian player Arif Suyono made a pop, the Thailand player’s hand touch the ball. BP executed penalty kick accurately. The score became 2-1 until the end of the game. What a match!! BP is Indonesian hero !!

What an awesome day. I came, i saw, and my favourite team brought the victory. And i wish, Indonesia can win the AFF Cup (Asean Football Federation Cup) this year.