JAKARTA (5 Nov 2011) – The results of a recent poll by the privately owned Developing Countries Studies Center might either cheer up or depress Indonesia’s Under-23 football squad.
The polls show that the number of people who are certain the team will win the SEA Games gold medal is almost the same as those who do not have an opinion at all about the team.
DCSC director Zaenal A. Budiyono told the Jakarta Globe that as many as 43% of those questioned were convinced that Indonesia would claim the SEA Games gold for the first time since 1991.
“They were asked whether they were sure the Indonesia football team was going to be victorious in SEA Games,” he said.
However almost as numerous as the believers, or around 42%, had no opinion on the question. The rest of the respondents, or around 15%, said they were unsure if the Indonesian team would win.
“I think 43% is not a bad number, compared to those who are skeptical about the team,” Zaenal said.
The survey was held from 12 to 20 October 2011 and involved 1,200 respondents from 33 provinces. The questions on the SEA Games were asked to get a sense of people’s perceptions of the competition.
The survey also questioned the respondents about nationalism and presidential impeachment.
Indonesia top youth team is trying to win their first football gold medal since the last time it hosted the Games. However, it has been drawn alongside defending champions Malaysia, Cambodia and regional powerhouses Thailand and Singapore.
Ratna Ayu, 26, a football fanatic from Jakarta, said she was optimistic the Merah Putih would put in a strong showing in front of their home supporters.
“They are going to play on their own turf,” Ratna said. “Besides, our team has several times previously met teams from other countries (in Southeast Asia).”
She also said she was sure that the Indonesian players were mentally ready to face the competition.
As well as asking questions about the SEA Games, DCSC asked people for their view on the Indonesian senior football team.
About 68% of those questioned said they were proud of the team. As many as 57% of respondents said they supported the naturalization program to bring foreign-born players to the squad.
Only 10% were against while 33% had no opinion on the matter.
Indonesia will open their campaign in Group A against Cambodia on Monday at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno.
SEA GAMES FIXTURES
GROUP A
| DATE | MATCH | GROUP | KICK OFF | VENUE | ||
|
07.11.2011 |
SINGAPORE | vs | MALAYSIA |
A |
1600 hrs |
GELORA BUNG KARNO |
| INDONESIA | vs | CAMBODIA | 1900 hrs | |||
| 08.11.2011 | REST DAY | |||||
|
09.11.2011 |
MALAYSIA | vs | THAILAND |
A |
1600 hrs |
GELORA BUNG KARNO |
| CAMBODIA | vs | SINGAPORE | 1900 hrs | |||
| 10.11.2011 | REST DAY | |||||
|
11.11.2011 |
SINGAPORE | vs | INDONESIA |
A |
1400 hrs |
GELORA BUNG KARNO |
| THAILAND | vs | CAMBODIA | 1700 hrs | |||
| 12-11.2011 | REST DAY | |||||
|
13.11.2011 |
MALAYSIA | vs | CAMBODIA |
A |
1600 hrs |
GELORA BUNG KARNO |
| INDONESIA | vs | THAILAND | 1900 hrs | |||
| 14.11.2011 | REST DAY | |||||
