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PSSI plans to protest against Vietnam’s U-23 national team’s rough game against Indonesia’s U-23 national team players in the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup final. / Photo: Instagram @timnas.indonesia
JAKARTA – The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) plans to protest against the rough play of the U-23 Vietnam national team against Indonesian U-23 national team players in the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup final. Former Deputy Secretary General of PSSI, Maaike Ira Puspita, who currently serves as Vice President of AFF, also intervened to assist the process.
In the final match of the AFF U-23 Cup 2023 which took place at Rayong Province Stadium, Rayong, Saturday night, 26 August 2023, Indonesia surrendered 5-6 on penalties, after playing a goalless draw for 120 minutes. During the game, Indonesian football fans were hurt by the way Vietnam U-23 played.
Hoang Anh Tuan’s foster children often use their hands when having physical duels with U-23 Indonesian National Team players. One of them was when the Garuda Muda defender, Haykal Alhafiz was hit in the head by Nguyen Hong Phuc in extra time.
Unfortunately, referee Hiroki Kasahara ignored the incident. The manager of the Indonesian National Team, Endri Erawan, also explained that PSSI would protest to AFF regarding the dirty game of the team nicknamed Young Golden Star Warriors.
“That’s right, we also feel this way, PSSI is analyzing all AFF Cup matches, and will send a letter of protest to AFF, but informally,” said Endri to MNC Portal Indonesia (MPI), Monday (28/8/2023).
According to Endri, the Indonesian representative at AFF, Maaike Ira Puspita, intervened to help run the process. For your information, Ira is a former PSSI Deputy Secretary General who is currently serving as AFF Vice President for the 2022-2026 period.
“I also conveyed the video about the Vietnamese player elbowing hard in the back of Haykal’s head to the Vice President of AFF, Ms. Ira, who is a representative from Indonesia,” said Endri.
“And we really regret that the referee was not observant of this incident because it could endanger the safety of our players,” he continued.
“According to him (Ira) he has followed up with his colleagues at the AFF, hopefully later the AFF will respond,” he said again.
Meanwhile, the chair of the vice president of the AFF previously occupied several times by PSSI officials as Indonesia’s representative. This position was occupied by Ratu Tisha Destria, who now serves as vice chairman of PSSI.
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