Cheers echoed throughout the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) on Thursday night as the Indonesian national football team clinched a crucial victory over China. Amid the celebrations, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, joined in the euphoria.
Not only did Prabowo attend the high-stakes World Cup Qualifier match, but he also stepped onto the pitch after the final whistle to personally congratulate the players and coaches. Together, they struck a triumphant pose, fists raised in unison, after Indonesia’s 1–0 win.
Accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, State-Owned Enterprises Minister and PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, President Prabowo beamed with pride as he stood among the national heroes who had just made the country proud.
The heartfelt moment served as a powerful symbol of moral support and national unity—fueling the spirit ahead of the next challenge.
“We are grateful—we succeeded. But the journey is not over,” Prabowo told reporters after the match.
Beyond celebrating the night’s win, Prabowo voiced strong optimism about Indonesia’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
“We must beat Japan next. But God willing, maybe this time we’re lucky—maybe this time we’ll make it to the World Cup,” he said, hopeful.
The President’s presence wasn’t just ceremonial. From the stands to the sidelines, he demonstrated his genuine commitment to supporting the national team, showing up to personally boost the morale of the players representing the country on the global stage.
This victory is not just a sweet moment for the national team and its supporters—it marks a meaningful step on the long road toward a dream: Indonesia’s debut on football’s biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup.
