An Indonesian supporter with a poster during the 2022 AFF Cup Group A football match against Thailand at the Bung Karno Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, Thursday, December 29, 2022. (ANTARA PHOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/tom/rst)

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) apologized for the incident in which Thailand's national team's bus was damaged before the 2022 AFF Cup Group A match against Indonesia at Bung Karno Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on December 29.

"We apologize for (what transpired during) the implementation of the match between Indonesia versus Thailand, especially with the incident of an object been thrown at the Thailand bus before entering the stadium," PSSI's Head of the Supporter Development Division, Budiman Dalimunthe, stated in Jakarta, Friday.

According to Dalimunthe, PSSI, the organizing committee, and the security forces had coordinated regarding the handling of fans before the match.

The meeting was held on December 28, or a day before the match, and on the match day at 9:00 local time. However, what transpired on the field did not go according to plan, he stated.

To this end, the PSSI urged leaders and liaisons for supporters to further ensure that untoward incidents were prevented.

"With our best effort, the implementation of the AFF Cup can be used as a reference for holding other football matches with spectators, including League 1 and other competitions," Dalimunthe stated.

The bus, carrying onboard Thailand's players, coaches, and officials, was attacked by Indonesian supporters before entering SUGBK. As a result, the window of the bus got cracked.

Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong and Thailand's national team tactician Alexandre Polking expressed regret over the incident.

Polking also expressed optimism that PSSI and match organizers would improve the organization of security for the sake of all teams competing in Indonesia.

The match ended with a 1-1 score in the 2022 AFF Cup Group A match at SUGBK on Thursday.

Indonesia's goal in that match was scored by Marc Klok from the penalty spot, while Thailand scored its goal through Sarach Yooyen.

The result keeps Indonesia in second place in Group A, with seven points from three matches and a +8 goal difference. Thailand is at the top of the standing, with seven points from three matches and +9 goal difference.

Cambodia remains in third place, with six points, from three games and +4 goal difference, followed by the Philippines, with three points from three matches and a -1 goal difference, while Brunei Darussalam was at the bottom of the standings, with zero points from four games and goal difference of -20.

Indonesia will seal a slot in the semi-finals if the team is able to hold a draw or win over host — the Philippines — in its last match in Group A, on January 2, 2023, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila.

To win the group, Indonesia must bag a big goal, with a goal difference beyond Thailand, which in the qualification final match will face Cambodia on the same day.

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Translator: Michael Siahaan, Resinta SEditor: Sri Haryati Copyright © ANTARA 2022