Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

By Staff reporters   May 19, 2023 | 06:21 am PT
Fans flooded the streets of Jakarta Friday to celebrate Indonesia’s first Sea Games men's football gold medal in 32 years.
Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Indonesia's U22 team arrived home from Cambodia on Thursday night, with tens of thousands of fans greeting them at Soekarno-Hatta airport.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Fans line up the streets from the airport to the squad's hotel, lighting up flares and throwing musical performances to celebrate their historic victory.

Football fans in Indonesia have been waiting for 32 years to see their men’s football team win the SEA Games competition. The last time Indonesia won the SEA Games men's football gold medal was in 1991.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

A sea of people waving their national flags and cheering as the Indonesian squad’s double-decker carries them through the jubilation on Friday morning.

The team departed from the Gelora Bung Karno Complex at 8 a.m. and traversed Jakarta to the HI roundabout and back.

Ten of thousands of fans lined the streets lighting flares and waving flags in a joyous party to honor their home team heroes and coach Indra Sjafri.

"This parade honors the fighting spirit of the players at the 32nd SEA Games. They have done their best to bring glory to the country," said Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Erick Thohir (C), President of Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) who is also on the bus, has apologized to the public for the parade causing traffic jams in Jakarta.

But more than that, he said he was grateful to the U22 team for fighting hard and bringing home the precious gold medal.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Captain Rizky Ridho (L, 2nd) and team members greet their fans from the bus.

Indonesia defeated Thailand 5-2 in extra time after a bad-tempered men's final in Phnom Penh on Tuesday that saw four players sent off and two mass brawls.

The Asian Football Confederation and Thai football officials have vowed to investigate the violent scenes between the two sides.

Thailand ended the final with eight players on the field.

It has been widely described as the most intense SEA Games final ever, with a total of seven red cards and 12 yellow cards given across both teams.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Major streets in the capital of Jakarta were jammed for several hours.

PSSI set up four stops with musical and other performances along the parade.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Fans who could not find their place on the street climb up to some buildings to greet the team.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Indonesia ranked third on the medal table at the 32nd SEA Games with 87 gold medals, 80 silver and 109 bronze.

The gold medal in men's football was considered the most precious because Indonesia had reached the final many times before without winning.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

Center-back Muhammad Ferrari (C) greet fans with wide open arms. He scored one goal in Indonesia's 3-2 victory agaisnt Vietnam in the semifinals.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

The players wave Indonesia flags on the top of the bus. They were heading to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, where a ceremony would be held to honor their victory.

Indonesians storm streets to celebrate SEA Games gold

A fans in Spiderman costume joins the parade on a motorbike.

Photos courtesy of PSSI

 
 
go to top