"The Power of Indonesian Netizens: Cheat Against Indonesia, and Your Career is in Jeopardy"

"The Power of Indonesian Netizens: Cheat Against Indonesia, and Your Career is in Jeopardy"

kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 - Bahrain Vs Timnas Indonesia - Duel Antarlini (Bola.com/Adreanus Titus)

Football again and again, this sport always causes an uproar everywhere. This time, in the Indonesia vs Bahrain match at the Bahrain International stadium, Riffa, on Thursday, 10 October 2024, which was organized by the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), the match ended in a breakdown due to referee Ahmed Al Kahf's decision which was deemed to have committed cheating. Who would have thought that a mistake in the last minute of the match could change everything? In this emotional match, the public spotlight was focused on the referee's decision to blow the whistle in the 90+9 minute when it should have ended in the 90+6 minute, this really triggered the anger of Indonesian fans because of the initial score.

 2 - 1 Indonesia took the lead but the whistle was not immediately blown until finally Indonesia conceded to 2 -2 in the 90 + 9 minutes and the match ended in a draw in a very heated atmosphere. However, this moment is not just about the end result; it went viral on social media and sparked extraordinary reactions from Indonesian netizens. From jokes about "90+6 = 99" to attacks on referee Al Kahf's career, these incidents show how strong the Indonesian people's voice is in the world of sport. In this article, we will explore the impact of the decision, from FIFA sanctions to the colorful reactions from netizens that made Bahrain suddenly the target of vitriol. Let's explore how a single moment can rock the internet and create an impact far greater than we can imagine.

Voetbal International memberi komentar terkait pertandingan Bahrain vs Indonesia yang menyoroti kinerja wasit Ahmed. (Vi.nl)

The match between Indonesia and Bahrain on 10 October 2024 took place at the Bahrain National Stadium as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Both teams came with great motivation—Bahrain after suffering a 0-5 defeat to Japan, while Indonesia appeared confident with a strong defense that had recently making them successful in holding Saudi Arabia and Australia to a draw.

In this match, Indonesia showed a solid defensive game from the start. The score was tied at 1-1 in the first half, but in the final minutes, the second team became more aggressive. Controversy arose when referee Ahmed Al Kahf blew the final whistle in the 90+6 minute, but extra time actually ran until the 99th minute. This decision made Indonesian netizens furious, especially after Bahrain managed to score an equalizer at that time, which made the final score 2-2.

This match is very important, considering the result is detrimental to both teams' chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

 

Sindiran berbentuk meme kepada wasit Ahmed Al Kaf yang memberi keputusan kontroversial di laga Bahrain melawan Timnas Indonesia, yang turut menyenggol AFC, Jumat (11/10).

The biggest controversy in this match arose when referee Ahmed Al Kahf blew the final whistle in the 99th minute, even though extra time was only supposed to be 6 minutes. This decision was considered unsportsmanlike and sparked great anger from Indonesian fans, who felt that the referee deliberately extended time to give Bahrain a chance to equalize. The equalizer that occurred after 96 minutes further strengthened accusations that the referee's decision was one-sided.

The strong reaction from the Indonesian public did not just stop on the ground. After the match, Indonesian netizens immediately attacked the referee's personal Instagram account, which eventually disappeared from the social media platform due to repeated attacks. Not only that, FIFA also gave strict sanctions to Ahmed Al Kahf, prohibiting him from leading the next match, including the important match between Al Hilal vs Al Ain. This incident is a clear example of how a referee's decisions can have an impact on his professional career when unsportsmanlike actions are felt by a large crowd

Maps Bahrain (Twitter)

After the controversial decision in the 99th minute, Indonesian netizens moved quickly in cyberspace. They stormed social media, especially Instagram, with emotional comments. Memes poking fun at timing errors like "90+6 = 99" instantly went viral. Within hours, referee Ahmed Al Kahf became the main target of netizens' anger, until his Instagram account disappeared due to repeated attacks.

It's not just the referee who is the target. Bahrain has not escaped criticism from Indonesian netizens. Google Maps reviews for locations in Bahrain began to fill with negative comments calling the "AFC Mafia," reflecting the disappointment and anger of Indonesian supporters. In fact, some creative netizens added reviews that spoofed famous locations in Bahrain, showing the power of digital humor mixed with frustration.

This phenomenon is proof of how Indonesian netizens, who are known to be very active on social media, can create a big impact in a short time. From just a joke, this reaction became a wave of protest that spread to the international stage

Arti meme "90+6=99" menggambarkan protes terhadap wasit Ahmed Al Kaf yang memperpanjang waktu hingga 90+9, padahal seharusnya 90+6. (Twitter/@FandomID_)

This phenomenon shows how the digital era has given society enormous power, especially in expressing opinions and influencing others at a global level. Indonesian netizens are a clear example of how large groups can unite through social media platforms to protest injustice or actions that are considered unsportsmanlike. Although sometimes attacks like this can go astray or be excessive, they show great potential in shaping public opinion, even to the point of threatening someone's career, as was the case with referee Ahmed Al Kahf.

But it is also important to look at it from a more neutral side. The power of netizens should be used wisely. While online protests can be effective in voicing dissatisfaction, personal attacks or cyberbullying can disproportionately harm people. In this case, the referee did receive sanctions from FIFA, but the attacks against him on social media show the dark side of digital mass power. Thus, it is important to remember that power in the hands of netizens needs to be balanced with responsibility

The match between Indonesia and Bahrain not only ended in a draw, but also sparked a series of reactions that went far beyond the gridiron. The referee's controversial decision in the 99th minute opened a new chapter in the debate about sportsmanship, the power of digital mobs and the real impact of online protests. From attacks on referees to widespread jokes, this phenomenon shows how much influence Indonesian netizens have in shaping narratives and even a person's career.

However, from this incident we can learn that digital power must be used wisely. Targeted and constructive criticism can encourage positive change, while personal attacks have the potential to create deeper wounds. Football may be just a game, but behind it, there are societal forces that move and influence the world. In this digital era, one decision in the field can reverberate throughout cyberspace.

MOCHAMMAD ATHA BANUA PRIYONO

(30802200020)