Indonesian coach is angry because fans are restricted from going to the field
*Indonesia - Cambodia: 16:30 Friday, December 23, Hanoi time.
"I want the stadium to be filled, not just limit the number of spectators," coach Shin Tae-yong shared on December 22, before the Indonesia - Cambodia match. "In the future, I want the audience to come to the field more often, so that the Indonesian team can have maximum mental support."
The football tragedy that occurred in October at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, killing more than 130 people, forced football fields in Indonesia to "close" and play without spectators in national tournaments. But until the AFF Cup 2022, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is allowed to welcome back fans, when the team of ten thousand islands plays at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium.
The capacity of Indonesia's home stadium is up to nearly 80,000 seats, but PSSI restricts the number of fans entering the field when it only issues 25,000 tickets for the match against Cambodia and 40,000 tickets for the reception to Thailand. This restriction is applied according to the regulations of the Indonesian National Police, making coach Shin Tae-yong unhappy.
In response to the Korean strategist's statement, PSSI President Mochammad Iriawan said that if Indonesia reaches the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2022, the National Police can lift the regulation restricting spectators.
"Everything is still at a test level, because since the incident in Kanjuruhan, this is the first time fans can return to the field," said Mr. Iriawan. "So, if the group stage matches are safe, the government will definitely consider loosening the rules. I'm sure the fans will do their best to make things go well."
According to the original schedule, Indonesia will play the opening match of the AFF Cup 2022 against Cambodia at 19:30 on December 23. However, the match was pushed up three hours earlier, at 16:30. The match Indonesia against Thailand at Bung Karno Stadium on December 29 also started at 16:30. Medcom newspaper (Indonesia) said that the change in game time comes from the local government's desire to ensure the safety of the match, and at the same time limit the risk of bad events when the Bung Karno stadium has a capacity. big.
At the AFF Cup 2022, Indonesia is in Group A, along with Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines and Brunei. Indonesia takes the first break in this group. Thailand and Cambodia are occupying the top two positions, with the same three points.
