REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Most of us were too pesimistic when talking about National Football Team. Public attention began to rise when U-19 National Team performed at ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup 2013 and defeated Malaysia in final match of Group B. Who was lost at that time, the team would be eliminated from the tournament.
Indra Sjafri, the coach said that there was nothing special with Malaysian team and he ensured that Indonesia would be the winner and he proved it. One of his controversial statements echoed before Indonesia played with South Korean team.
"Please tell to South Korean team, we will defeat them. Everything can be defeated, except God," Sjafri said.
This statement lighted up the spirit of National Team in October last year. Many people praised him, but many people also sneered him. Sjafri has proven his statement that Indonesia defeated South Korea with scores of 3-2. They were previously considering Sjafri as an arrogant coach began to change their minds and said that Sjafri was an optimistic figure.
Sjafri said that he was concerned about the attitude of majority inferior people in Indonesia. Indonesian people overestimated in seeing other countries.
"If we feel someone else is always great, then when we are in it? We are not going forward if we always feel like that. We have to love this country because we are born, grow up and live here," Sjafri said.
His principle makes Republika as one of largest newspapers in Indonesia calling him as Agent of Change 2014. Sjafri is able to inspire the change in Indonesian football. He invites people to realize that we have a great nation and we must be optimistic people. This award will be given to him on Monday at 07.00 PM at Djakarta Theater.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika
