"This is one way to raise football interest because Argentina is a world-class team," he said at the Indonesian Olympic Committee’s Office (KOI/NOC Indonesia) here on Thursday.
The upcoming friendly match between Indonesia and Argentina can be a good experience for the national team as well as a consolation for football fans, the minister said.
KOI chairperson Raja Sapta Oktohari said the friendly match against Argentina is a good opportunity for the Indonesian team to test and measure their abilities.
"This is a good opportunity for the Indonesian team to test (their skills). I also give my highest appreciation to the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and (PSSI chairperson) Erick Thohir for treating the wounds of Indonesian football fans (over the cancelation of Indonesia’s hosting rights for the U-20 World Cup)," Oktohari said.
He also highlighted the victory of the Indonesian football team over Thailand at the 2023 SEA Games, which sparked euphoric celebrations.
"Hopefully, football can maintain this achievement so that it motivates other sports," he said.
When asked about the ticket prices for the friendly match, which are expected to be high, he said that is reasonable considering that coaching requires a lot of funds.
Indonesia will take on Argentina in the friendly test match on June 19 at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium, Jakarta.
The match was announced after a team from the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) completed a review of GBK stadium.
The FIFA match will be the first match between the senior Garuda team and the AFA team.
Earlier, the junior Indonesian national team went up against Argentina in the 1979 U-20 World Cup.
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Translator: Arnidhya Z, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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