Makassar, S Sulawesi - Indonesia`s victory against the Philippines team in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup`s semifinal on Sunday evening had arisen the nation`s pride, a former soccer player said.
The victory did not only paved the way for the national soccer team to get the final match ticket but it was also a momentum for every Indonesian to appreciate their country, Abdi Tunggal said.
"This victory has enabled us to forget the problems we are facing as a nation for a moment. I think the victory has arisen the spirit of nationalism due to our players` heroic struggle," he said.
This former striker of PSM (Makassar Soccer Club) said the Indonesian public support was so spectacular as shown by the flocks of soccer enthusiasts at the stadium in Jakarta.
"This is an indication that our people are no longer ashamed to show their concrete support for our national team," he said.
Sharing Abdi Tunggal`s opinion, Husain Abdullah, another soccer enthusiast, said the Indonesian team`s victory had united the entire nation regardless of the existing economic, legal and political problems.
"We put our problems aside for a moment, like the Gayus corruption case. Today (Sunday), we celebrate our victory happily. May our thirst for the championship be gained by beating Malaysia in the final match," he said.
Indonesian soccer team`s striker Christian Gonzales said he was ready to score goals in the final match of the AFF Suzuki Cup with Malaysia on December 26 and 29.
"I am always ready if my coach picked me," he told newsmen after playing in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup`s semifinal.
The only goal that secured Indonesia`s victory was made by Gonzales, naturalized Indonesian citizen married to an Indonesian.
In the first leg, Indonesia also defeated the Philippines with one goal also scored by Gonzales who came from Uruguay.
He said he would always do his best to bring victory to his team at anytime. But, his success in scoring goals was actually the result of a solid team work, he said.
"I cannot score goals if there is no solid support from the other players. Therefore scoring goals is the result of all players` hard work," said the naturalized playmaker who once played for Persib Bandung.
Gonzales who married Eva Siregar was publicly regarded as the one who had brought the national team to the grand final match due to be held in Malaysia on December 26 and in Indonesia on December 29.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who watched the semifinal match at Bung Karno soccer stadium here Sunday evening praised the Indonesian soccer team`s victory and spectacular performance.
However, the head of state urged the Indonesian players to focus on their final match with Malaysia.
"Don`t be inattentive. Keep concentrating on the final match with Malaysia," he said.
The head of state called on the entire nation to pray for the national team`s victory in two legs of the final match.
President Yudhoyono said the government promised the national team members a token of appreciation.
The AFF committee decided that the two legs of the Indonesia-the Philippines` semifinals will be held at Bung Karno soccer stadium because the AFF regarded the Philippines` soccer stadium to meet the international standards.(*)