Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
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Football team
cerebral palsy
Indonesia made history by qualifying for the main round of the 2026 IFCPF World Cup in the United States.
This certainty was achieved after Hafthah Wicaksono and his friends beat Thailand with a score of 3-1 in the semifinals of the 2025 IFCPF Asia Oceania Cup at Sriwedari Stadium, Solo, Thursday (20/11).
Indonesia’s three goals were scored by Hafthah Wicaksono in the 17th minute, an own goal by Thai player Phonpipat Nampaksa in the 67th minute, and Rizky Mulyana in the 76th minute.Meanwhile, Thailand’s reply was scored by Narongchai Thaohong in the 21st minute.
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The coach of the Indonesian cerebral palsy football team, Yanuar Dhuma Ardhiyanto, appreciated the extraordinary struggle of the players after undergoing a tight battle for 80 minutes.
“Thank God, we are very grateful for this result. This is the momentum for the revival of Indonesian cerebral palsy football to qualify for the World Cup for the first time,” said Yanuar in a press conference after the match.
Before the tournament started, Indonesia did not set a target of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. On paper, Iran and Australia were the favorites to qualify for the United States.
However, the surprising victory over Australia with a score of 2-1 and beating Japan with a score of 1-0 made the Indonesian players more confident in making history at the Sriwedari Stadium.
“Our initial target was actually only to enter the top four. However, after seeing the players’ play and us qualifying for the top four, I raised the target to my friends to qualify for the final. Thank God, now we can achieve this,” said Yanuar.
Yanuar further assessed that the match against Thailand was difficult.Hafthah’s quick goal gave Indonesia the upper hand.However, the players lost focus and scored a goal for Thailand because there was a coordination error at the back.
The key to this victory occurred when Indonesia brought in Rizky Mulyana to replace the team captain, Yahya Hernanda.Rizky, who has speed, splits the focus of Thailand’s back line.
“As I said before, we have prepared young players who are full of acceleration. With special attacks, we can finally create opportunities and score goals,” said Yanuar.
Thailand captain Phonpipat Nampaksa’s blunder goal occurred because of a mistake when anticipating Diky Hendrawan’s hard kick.His goal attempt actually outwitted the Thai goalkeeper, Jettarin Wonghangmit.
Meanwhile, the third goal was created through a counter-attack scheme after Diky was able to snatch the ball from the Thai player’s feet.Rizky Mulyana, who was standing free, calmly directed the ball to the left side of the Thai goal.
One of the Indonesian National Football Team players with cerebral palsy, Diky Hendrawan, said that one of the factors that was no less important in the victory over Thailand was the full support of thousands of supporters in the western stands.The supporters sang throughout the match which increased the enthusiasm of the players.
“Thank God we were able to enter the final and qualify for the main round of the 2026 World Cup. Thank you to the supporters who supported us to beat Thailand,” said Diky, who was named Man of the Match for this match.
Diky said the support from the supporters made the players appear tireless, starting from normal time to the 2×10 minute extra time.
“At the start, when we conceded the goal, to be honest, it was a bit stressful, but after that the players enjoyed themselves more and were able to score two more goals,” said Diky.
“Hopefully in the final match on Saturday night the fans will return to provide support to us. God willing, we will try to become champions,” Diky emphasized.
[Gambas:hitclubapk3 Video]
(ikw/jun)
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