SEA Games Indonesia 2011 Soccer Final

Dear Diary,

Harimau Muda roared triumphantly last Monday and silenced Garuda once and for all. Although we didn’t champion the SEA Games, the gold from soccer was precious and very dear to every Malaysian. We finished fourth overall with 59 gold, 50 silver and 82 bronze. Still, an outstanding effort from our athletes and it was our second best achievement outside Kuala Lumpur after SEA Games 2007 in Korat.

The win was the icing on the cake. It was our pride and ego booster. After been humiliated by the host teams with defeats in takraw and badminton, a win from soccer team was very much needed. I don’t want to review the intense final game or the rude treatment Malaysian athletes, officers and media had to endure because I believe these have been covered by many already. What I want to share here is my experience watching the final.

On the game night, I watched it at my parents in laws’ restaurant. When we arrived minutes before 8pm, the place was already packed with Harimau Muda supporters. Some of them even wore our national jersey. How patriotic!

As the game kicked off, all eyes were locked on the big screen. Everybody can feel the intensity in the air. There was dead silent after Indonesia shocked us with a 1-0 lead. Frustration sighs were obvious after each failed attempts at the net. Deafening jubilant shouts from everyone after Baddrol Bakhtiar, our captain, scored the winning goal. The whole restaurant was celebrating as is we’re the players at Stadium Utama Gelora Bung Karno.

It was very touching seeing every person there cheering for the national squad. No matter what background we come from, what faith we believe in or which party politic we vote for, we are one when national pride is at stake.