However, Alberto "Beto" Goncalves stated to the attackers of Indonesia`s Under-23 years old (U-23) national team at the 2018 Asian Games that there was no other way to celebrate the day than with goals.
It was revealed during the U-23 national team match when Indonesia faced the Laos U-23 national team in the continuation of the Group A men`s soccer match in the 2018 Asian Games XVIII, which was held at the Patriot Chandrabaga Stadium, Bekasi, West Java, right on the independence day.
Beto scored two goals. And it became a sweet gift on the first Indonesian Independence Day after being sworn in as an Indonesian citizen on Feb 8, 2018.
"It was a pleasure to be able to score on a special day in Indonesian history," the player, whose full name was Alberto Goncalves da Costa, stated after the match against Laos.
With these two goals, Beto`s contribution to Indonesia`s U-23 national team became the highest at the 2018 Asian Games. The Brazilian-born player (Dec 31, 1980) gained three goals in two matches, from the three matches, won by the U-23 Indonesia national team at the 2018 Asian Games.
The achievement was temporarily the highest in Indonesia U-23 national team, besides the achievement of two goals by Dutch midfielder, Stefano Lilipaly, who was a naturalized player.
Beto even injured his hamstrings while gaining two goals against Laos, which is an unknown fact among many people.
However, he claimed that his injury seemed to disappear after hearing the applause of supporters of the U-23 Indonesia national team in the stadium.
"The cheers of supporters made me forget the pain," he noted.
Beto stated clearly that the pride of Indonesians was not just demonstrated by practice but by the fanfare.
Footballers like Beto continue to sacrifice each day on the training ground. They endure fatigue and pain and miss the presence of their dear ones, in order to give pride to the Republic of Indonesia and to keep the national flag flying high.
"We work hard because we want to win," Beto remarked.
Coach of Indonesia`s U-23 football national team Luis Milla lauded Beto`s contribution to the 2018 Asian Games. Milla compared Beto with Stefano Lilipaly, who is an important player in his squad who competed in the 2018 Asian Games.
"They are both important players in the team," the Spanish coach revealed.
Indonesia`s U-23 national team is just a step away from qualifying for the last 16 of men`s soccer in the 2018 Asian Games. Beto and his friends must be able to beat Hong Kong`s U-23 national team in their last match, which takes place on Monday (Aug 20 )
Indonesia is currently third in the Group A standings, with six points from three matches and opens up opportunities to qualify for the last 16.
In the standings, Hong Kong is just above Indonesia, with seven points from three matches. The top of the standings is held by the Palestinian U-23 national team, which collected eight points from four matches and has already been confirmed to qualify for the eighth final round.
"The euphoria of the victory from Laos must be immediately fulfilled. The team must shift focus to the match against Hong Kong. It is very important to play better than how they played against Laos, because Hong Kong is a strong team," Beto revealed.
Good luck Beto and Indonesia U-23 national team. People support you, always! *** 4 ***
Reporting by Michael Siahaan
Editing by Eliswan, Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
