Thai Goalkeeper Soponwit Apologizes for Hitting Indonesian Player at 2023 SEA Games Final: CNN Indonesia

CNN Indonesia

Wednesday, May 17 2023 19:44 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Kiper Thailand Soponwit Rakyart apologized after getting involved in the commotion against Indonesian U-22 National Team in the 2023 SEA Games finals.

Indonesia U-22 against Thailand in the 2023 SEA Games final at the Olympic Stadium, Tuesday (16/5). In that match Indonesia won a landslide victory 5-2.

The top match of the SEA Games was also marked by a number of incidents, ranging from players and officials clashing between the two teams, to red cards.

Soponwit was involved in the altercation which occurred in the first half of extra time. It was the second riot after Thailand could even the score to 2-2 at the end of the second half.

In the second brawl that occurred after Irfan Jauhari gave Indonesia a 3-2 lead in the 91st minute, Soponwit hit Indonesian defender Komang Teguh.

Soponwit hit after Komang Teguh first hit the Thai player’s head from behind. However, the moment Soponwit hit Komang Teguh missed the target.

The reason is, the defender from Borneo FC first saw the movements of Soponwit who was about to hit. As a result, Komang was able to dodge. Even so, both Komang and Soponwit still received a red card from referee Matar Ali Hatmi.

Quoted from the Thai media That’s itSoponwit apologizes for the bad behavior.

“All Thai people must be dissatisfied and disappointed. I apologize to my family and the people who supported me in everything,” said Soponwit.

“This event will give me an unforgettable experience, which will definitely not happen to me again,” Soponwit added.

In addition to promising not to repeat the same act, Soponwit also accepted his mistake.

“But I have no reason other than to apologize and accept this mistake and promise [jadi pemain] even better,” said Soponwit.

(sry/jal)