By Usha Wagle Gautam
Indonesia prevailed over Nepal during a friendly football fixture organised by Al Ahli SC last weekend.
The Nepali team in red were aggressive throughout the game, but were unable to get a breakthrough. The game was decided on penalties, where the Indonesian team bested the Nepali team 4 goals to 2.
Team chairman Sanjeev Ranabhat was happy with the team’s performance, saying, “Losing a game on penalties is not the same as losing a game in playtime.”
Both teams were invited by Al Ahli SC and the match was co-ordinated by Chitwan Service Society and Indonesian Football Association in Qatar (IFAQ).
Charge d’Affairs at the Embassy of Nepal to Qatar Ganesh Prasad Dhakal and Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar Deddy Saiful Hadi watched the match. After the match between the two countries, Al Ahli and Al Salman went face to face in which Al Ahli won by three goals to two. More than 7,000 people watched the two matches.
The two matches were followed by a cultural show featuring Nepali and Indonesian artistes.
Nepali folk singer Shirish Devkota, the folk instrumental group of Nepalese Dalit Association (NDA) and dancer Hemanta Lama showcased their talents.
Devkota alone performed 12 songs, stepping up to the stage three times. “It is an honour to perform before a crowd of over 7,000 people; it is a rare experience,” Devkota said.
Freestyle artiste Hemanta Lama was also excited at the crowd, saying performing here was his “second-biggest achievement,” following his performance at the Qatar National Day celebrations.
The NDA group kept themselves busy for over three hours, performing Panche Baja, folk instrumental using five indigenous instruments. Joining the NDA team were Govinda Pariyar, Dadhi Ram Pariyar, Mani Lal BK, Dipak Ranpal, Raj Ghatani and Arjun Pariyar. NDA artistes said their income from the performance will go to a charity fund for street and orphaned children in Nepal.
Likewise, Doha-based Indonesian artistes executed more than six performances.
The first performance by Indonesian artistes was by Astrid, who performed Bendera and We are the Champions. After Astrid, a group of six dancers performed the Angin Mamiri dance, choreographed by Stratya Zurly. Then a group of ten artistes executed the Sipatokaan dance, followed by another group performance featuring the Rampak Pemudi dance.
Heri Kartano, an Indonesian audience member, said, “Watching these performances have made me feel like I’m home and made me miss my homeland less.”
Other activities at the event featured a tug-of-war game and lucky draws where audience members got to win mobile phones, air tickets and shopping vouchers.
Al Ahli Club had provided free transportation to the audience members. The matches and the cultural show were also free to attend.
IFAQ Chairman Satrio Anugroho hailed the match and expected such matches to boost confidence and stamina of the players.
TRADITIONAL: The Rampak Pemudi dance by Indonesian artistes.
