Jokowi Watches the Match of the Indonesian National Team vs Saudi Arabia, Sits in a Regular Seat Wearing a Solo Player's Jersey

Kapanlagi.com - President Joko Widodo once again captured public attention in a simple yet meaningful way while supporting the Indonesian National Team. In the 2026 World Cup Qualifying match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (19/11), Jokowi chose to sit in a regular VIP stand, not in the usual VVIP area. This decision received much praise from the public, who saw Jokowi's presence as an additional motivation for the Garuda squad.

Wearing a jersey that read "Haye" and bearing the number 19, Jokowi appeared to enjoy every moment of the match. His appearance drew attention, especially since the jersey was identical to that of Indonesia's star player, Thom Haye, who also started in the match.

The match held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium marked a new history for Indonesia, where the Merah Putih team succeeded in defeating Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0 thanks to two goals scored by Marselino Ferdinan.

In a post on his Instagram, Jokowi referred to this victory as a "historic night" and expressed appreciation for the hard work of the players. "Continue this fighting spirit, Indonesia has a champion mentality!" he wrote, stirring the spirit of nationalism in the hearts of every football lover in the homeland.

1. Jokowi's Presence in the Spotlight of the Public

President Jokowi once again showed his sincere support for national sports, this time in an unusual and meaningful way. Wearing a white jersey with the word "Haye" and the number 19 on the back, Jokowi chose to sit in the East VIP stands alongside Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, instead of in the place usually occupied by high-ranking officials.

His simple appearance and decision to be in the regular spectator area caught the public's attention and received praise from netizens, who saw it as a form of closeness to the people.

This moment is not just about simplicity, but also serves as a symbol of real support for the Indonesian national team striving to secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, providing the much-needed moral boost for the players in their struggle.

2. A Historic Match for Indonesia

In an enthusiastic post, Jokowi expressed his pride over the victory of the Indonesian national team, which managed to defeat Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian Zone.

He referred to this moment as "a historic night for Garuda," where Indonesia now leads as the ASEAN team with the highest points. "Congratulations to the Indonesian national team! Keep maintaining this champion mentality and continue your fighting spirit!" exclaimed Jokowi through his Instagram caption, igniting the spirit of the heroes on the green field.

3. Wearing Thom Haye's Jersey

President Jokowi's presence among the crowd managed to capture the attention of many! In an enthusiastic moment, a TikTok user named Syarif.ajudan successfully recorded the 7th President of Indonesia celebrating the victory joyfully.

Jokowi stood out wearing Thom Haye's jersey, which immediately became a hot topic in the online world.

"Our dad also likes Thom Haye," commented ikha_bae, while azr__ added, "Thom Haye is from Solo," and wahyu saetama emphasized, "Haye is from the Mataraman Solo bloodline, bro!"

The atmosphere in the stadium was even more festive with the presence of a leader who is not only close to the heart but also on the field!

4. The Figure of Thom Haye, Solo-Blooded Midfielder

Thom Jan Marinus Haye, born in Amsterdam on February 9, 1995, is a talented footballer who combines Indonesian and Dutch cultural heritage.

With a grandfather from Solo and a grandmother from Sulawesi, Haye began his football journey at the AZ Alkmaar academy and stepped up to the first team in 2013. His career continued in Dutch clubs such as Willem II and SC Heerenveen, where he showcased his talent as a creative midfielder.

After strengthening the Dutch national team at the junior level, Haye took a bold step by becoming an Indonesian citizen (WNI) on March 18, 2024.

This historic moment led him to join the Indonesian National Team, and his debut against Vietnam in the Asian World Cup qualifiers marked the beginning of a new chapter in his football story.

(kpl/rmt)