Indonesia considers giving up the AFF Cup because of the referee

Mr. Surmadji made the above point after Indonesia lost to Vietnam in the U23 Southeast Asian final of 2023. Japanese referee Hiroki Kasahara was criticized for some decisions that were deemed unfavorable to Indonesia.

First, he gave Vietnam a penalty in the first half, but slow-motion video shows that Alfeandra Dewangga is unlikely to touch Nguyen Quoc Viet's foot. At the next 11m, Quoc Viet missed a shot. In extra time, Nguyen Hong Phuc beat Haykal Alhafiz but escaped with a red card.

"The referee has a one-sided view in this game, especially in foul situations," Surmadji told Bola Sport. "We will consider whether to attend AFF tournaments in the future or not."

The tournament system of the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) includes U16, U19, U23 and the national team - AFF Cup. Surmadji emphasized that if the refereeing work is improved, the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) will continue to send their teams to attend.

The defeat in the final of U23 Southeast Asia made coach Shin Tae-yong not have a title with Indonesian football. However, Surmadji still highly appreciates the Korean coach, saying that he has maximized his leadership in this tournament. "I'm not protecting Shin," Surmadji said. "But obviously, despite the absence of many pillars, he still helps the home team to achieve."

Kombes Pol Surmadji was born in 1972 and is a senior officer of the Indonesian police force. In 2016, he joined football, was appointed as the team leader of Bhayangkara FC. In 2019, he began to lead the U22 Indonesia team and opened with the U22 championship in Southeast Asia, then the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.

Surmadji is known for being the victim of a melee between Indonesian and Thai players at the 32nd SEA Games final. When trying to pull an Indonesian assistant out, he was grabbed by a Thai member and fell down. yard. The leader of the group lay on his head to avoid being trampled. When the fighting resumed, Mr. Surmadji was unable to walk on his own, but had to ask someone to help him back to his seat, and injured his lip.