The local media here is whipping up the frenzy of the Indonesian fans ahead of the football final against Malaysia tonight.
The 1st Times, an Indonesian bilingual daily had on its front page the headline: “Young Garuda ready to tear Malaysia Apart.”
It also said that the football title was more important than becoming overall champions.
It went on to say that the title of overall champions for the Indonesian contingent will become more complete and meaningful if the national team deliver the football gold medal.
Indonesia reached the final after defeating Vietnam 2-0 in the semi-finals while Malaysia edged Myanmar 1-0.
Indonesia, who last won the gold in Manila 20 years ago, are bent on becoming champions for the third time in the Games, having won it in 1987 here, when they beat Malaysia 1-0 in the final.
Defending champions Malaysia are bracing themselves for a torrid reception when they face the hosts in front of 100,000 fanatical fans.
Several security measures have been put in place to avoid any untoward incidents, including confining the Malaysian team’s training sessions to the hotel grounds.
Coach Ong Kim Swee, however, is quite comfortable with the sessions being held on tennis courts and in the open space at the hotel compound.
The players were in good spirits in their final training session yesterday. They were having fun and even threw team physiotherapist Mohd Nasrul Ahmad Tajuddin into the pool.
Kim Swee, however, has warned his players to be wary of provocations by Indonesian fans in a bid to distract them from their game.
“The fans will jeer the team when they troop onto the field and also when the Negaraku is played. I will use reverse psychology and get them worked up to get the desired result in the final,” said Kim Swee.
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