In the final match held at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Saturday night, the Indonesian national futsal team lost to Iran in the cruelest of circumstances: a penalty shootout, a procedure that transformed 50 minutes of collective effort into a mere psychological battle between two feet.
Iran won 5–4 in a nerve-wracking shootout, after a dramatic, absurd, beautiful, exhausting match that ended in a 5–5 draw.
Over the course of 50 minutes, the audience witnessed Indonesia take the lead repeatedly. Iran equalized repeatedly. It was as if the match had been orchestrated by a philosopher with a penchant for paradox: every advantage must be tested, every expectation must be corrected.
Israr Megantara scored a hat trick . Habiebie saved a penalty. Indonesia led 2–1, 3–1, 4–3, and even 5–4 in extra time. However, Iran, the 14-time tournament champions, refused to succumb to the narrative of "the hosts are ready to make history." They opted for the narrative of "experience always has the final say."
Throughout the match, Indonesia played with the knowledge that they deserved to be in this final. The national team, coached by Hector Souto of Spain, showed no signs of nervousness or hesitation in their ambition to win in front of their home crowd.
Indonesia played fast, bold, if sometimes careless. The goals flowed quickly, like fresh ideas undeterred by censorship. Iran, on the other hand, played like a walking archive: neat, patient, and aware that time often favors those who don't panic.
With the score at 5–5 after extra time, the penalty shootout felt like an unfair but legitimate ending. Two Indonesian penalty takers missed. Iran won, enhancing their record. But there's something still to be proud of: Indonesia didn't lose because they were weaker, but because they weren't used to winning enough.
Commenting on the match, Hector Souto chose a somewhat unfamiliar expression. He admitted to being proud, but not drunk. He praised the players' mentality, but acknowledged the gap in quality between Iran and Japan.
