As the U-23 Indonesian national team gears up for their semifinal clash against Uzbekistan in the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, scheduled for Monday (29/4/2024) at 21:00 WIB, support from the Indonesian diaspora in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries is reaching its peak. This fervor extends back home, where various local governments and institutions are organizing public viewing events to back the young Indonesian squad.

Tickets for the Indonesia-Uzbekistan match have been sold out since Sunday (28/4/2024), mirroring the enthusiasm witnessed during their quarterfinal showdown against South Korea. A total of 9,105 spectators witnessed Indonesia's triumph over South Korea in a penalty shootout, filling up approximately 89 percent of the stands at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 10,221.

The attendance at the Indonesia-South Korea match was only surpassed by the number of spectators at the host country Qatar's match against Japan at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan. The game, won by Japan, was watched by 9,573 spectators, filling up 74 percent of the stadium's capacity.

The Indonesian Football Association in Qatar (IFQ) Chairman, Vidi Viciyandrie, stated that a record-breaking number of tickets have been reserved for the semifinal match, primarily due to increased demand from the Indonesian diaspora. A total of 4,155 tickets were reserved through the blocking ticket method, with an additional 300 tickets purchased on Sunday (28/4/2024), bringing the total to 4,455 tickets.

According to Vidi, the number of supporters attending the semifinal match is expected to surpass 9,000, ensuring a packed stadium with a minimum of 85 percent Indonesian supporters.

The blocking ticket method, coordinated by the Indonesian Embassy in Qatar in collaboration with IFQ and Garuda Qatar, aims to facilitate ticket purchases for Indonesian supporters facing difficulties with online transactions through the Hayya app.

Tickets are priced the same whether purchased through Hayya or the blocking ticket method. Category one tickets are priced at 25 Qatari riyals (approximately Rp 111,000), category two at 15 Qatari riyals (approximately Rp 66,700), and gold category tickets, offering prime seating, at 200 Qatari riyals (approximately Rp 890,500) per ticket.

IFQ and Garuda Qatar, in addition to Indonesian supporters in attendance, will adorn the stadium with Indonesian flags and banners, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of support. Notable figures such as PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir and Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo are also expected to be present in the prime seating area of the stadium, showing their support for the national team.

Uzbekistan U-23 coach Timur Kapadze expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform under the pressure of thousands of Indonesian supporters. Kapadze recalled their experience facing Indonesian supporters during the Asian Games and remained undeterred, affirming that Uzbekistan's supporters would also be present to bolster their team.

Support for the Garuda Muda squad is not confined to the stadiums alone; it resonates across Indonesia. Local governments, including those of Surakarta, Makassar, Tangerang, and Klaten, as well as police departments such as Polresta Jayapura Kota and Polres Aceh Barat, have announced official public viewing events.

PSSI is hosting free public viewing events at the ring road of the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium and the North Plaza of the Gelora Bung Karno Complex in Jakarta. Similarly, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is organizing public viewing events at the Ministry headquarters in Senayan, Jakarta.

La Grande Indonesia (LGI), one of Indonesia's supporter groups, plans to decentralize their support by organizing public viewing events in various cities nationwide. Ilham Sukrai from LGI's Communication Division emphasized the importance of spreading the spirit of support throughout Indonesia, expressing hope for Indonesia's victory against Uzbekistan and qualification for the 2024 Olympics.

Join Us in Supporting the U-23 National Team

As the U-23 Indonesian national team battles for glory on the international stage, we invite all Indonesians, both at home and abroad, to unite in showing our unwavering support. Whether you're cheering from the stadium stands, attending public viewing events, or simply following the matches from afar, your support matters.

Let's come together to rally behind our young talents, inspire them with our chants and cheers, and uplift their spirits as they strive for victory. Together, we can make a difference and propel our national team to new heights of success.

Join us in cheering for Timnas U-23 as they write their chapter of glory in Indonesian football history!