Monday, November 21, 2011
The Final Day!
Today was a big day for Indonesia. Today was the last day of Sea Games 2011. The big event would be ended by the final of the football tournament.
Today I could see how great football is. It’s not just a game. It’s not just a sport. It’s something bigger.
Watching the excitement of most Indonesian people, we can see how important football is, at least in Indonesia.
As we can see, that wasn’t football tournament. That was Sea Games 2011. Football was only one of the sports. There were other sports such as athletic, swimming, weight lifting, and the other famous one, badminton. Indonesian athletes are good in so many kinda sports.
But for me, it really feels like a football tournament. The football tournament seems to be the main event. No one talks about the other sports. Well, not much. I didn’t hear any.
But everyday we were talking about the football tournament. I looked at my friends’ status in facebook, twitter, blackberry messenger, and any social network, they were always talking about Indonesian football team in Sea Games. To be honest, I’m one of them.
For the whole Sea Games, all I care is only about the football game. I don’t know anything about Sea Games, except that Indonesian football team beat Singapore 2 – 0, then Cambodia 6 – 0, Thailand 3 – 1, lost 0 – 1 from Malaysia, won 2 – 0 from Vietnam, and then I couldn’t wait for the final between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Most people were really focused on the football game. The tickets were always sold out. The stadium was always full of people. My friends’ status on every social network said prayers and supports for Indonesian football team.
And finally, the final between Indonesia and Malaysia. Phew! Was an epic!!
People had been waiting outside the stadium since the day before the final. Crazy!
And finally it was night. The final started. I watched it with Bapak and Deany. Wow! It was a beautiful game! Both teams were struggling till the end.
Indonesia seemed to own the game at the beginning. And they played in a really fast rhythm. Indonesia was even leading with one goal in the very beginning of the match. I think it was the 3rd or 4th minute of the 1st half. And the goal was really beautiful. Gunawan, the player number 13, made it with his nice heading, from (who?)’s crossing.
It was a good goal, and it happened very early. So that’s why I put lots of hopes. I had big expectation for them to win the game.
But, after that goal, Malaysia seemed to own the game. The ball possessions turn to Malaysia. They kept on possessing the ball. Malaysia played really, really good after the first goal. Indonesian defense looked so weak. To be honest, it was lame. Horrible! If only Malaysia had a better striker, they would’ve made more goals!
There were so many chances for Malaysia. They kept attacking Indonesian defense. Ouch! It was just like in the territory issues.
And finally Malaysia made a goal! Damn it! It was really, really, really.... arrrhhh...really upsetting...!
How could it be? It was a weak shot.
Then, for the rest of the match, Malaysia really owned it. They always got the ball. They always attacked Indonesia. Seriously, if only they had better strikers, there would have been more goals for Malaysia.
And the most, most upsetting is, Indonesia actually made a goal in the second half, but it was annulled by the referee because Okto Maniani was already offside. Damn! It was a beautiful goal!
And after the full 90 minutes of hard game, Indonesia and Malaysia had to play in the extra time. In that extra time, once again Indonesia made a really beautiful goal... that was, again, annulled by the referee because our player was already offside! Darn!! Arrhh! I was screaming like crazy. Seriously crazy!
It was a breath-taking match. Incredible match. They both play good. And finally..., times up, the score was still 1 - 1, and they had to finish the match with penalty shoots! Oh my... it was tense! I prayed together with my sister... and all Indonesian people.
Indonesia had the chance to kick first.
The first executor was Titus Bonai. Malaysian goalkeeper could predict the ball move, but it was still a goal. Score was 1 - 0 for Indonesia. But then Malaysian first executor also made it, so the score was 1 - 1 (2 - 2).
Then the second executor of Indonesia was Gunawan Dwi Cahyo. OMG he's HOT! But the hottie missed the penalty. Then Malaysian second executor made a goal, so it became 2 - 1 (3 - 2) for Malaysia.
The third executor was Egi Melgiansyah. He scored, me and Deany screamed so happily, then the third executor of Malaysia didn't make it, so I scream even louder. It became 2 - 2 (3 - 3).
Then the fourth executor of both Malaysia and Indonesia (it was Abdul Rahman) made goals, so it was 3 -3 (4 - 4).
And.... OMG! The last penalty shots!
The last executor of Indonesia was Ferdinand Sinaga... and... he didn't make it! Oh no!!
Then, the last executor of Malaysia... made the goal! Noooooo....!!!!!!!
While all Indonesians cried and upset, Malaysian players, officials, and supporters jumped, ran, and screamed in happiness. They celebrated their success of winning the football tournament!
I was upset. Deany and Bapak were upset. We were... silence.
So all my friends' status in their social network account talked about the lost. Some said how upset they were. Some said how proud they were, though Indonesia lost. Some said something like "It's ok, Garuda. Bla, bla, bla." Some put a crying face. It was like... Indonesia really lost.
Even if you read the news, there are lots of headlines sound like "Indonesia failed", "Indonesia lost", "Indonesia is crying", and something like that. Everyone seemed to be very upset.
But... suddenly I read one of my friends' status in blackberry messenger. It said "Indonesia is the overall winner of Sea Games!"
And then I realized... that is absolutely right! Hey! Guys! We don't lose! We won the Sea Games.
It's true! Indonesia got the most gold medal, silver medal, and bronze medal!
Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | SUM |
Indonesia | 171 | 147 | 136 | 454 |
Thailand | 105 | 95 | 118 | 318 |
Vietnam | 96 | 90 | 101 | 287 |
Malaysia | 59 | 48 | 77 | 184 |
Singapore | 42 | 45 | 73 | 160 |
Philippine | 36 | 56 | 77 | 169 |
Myanmar | 16 | 27 | 35 | 78 |
Laos | 9 | 12 | 36 | 57 |
Cambodia | 4 | 11 | 24 | 39 |
Timor Leste | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
Brunei Darussalam | 0 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
