RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo: The vibrant spirit of the Indonesian diaspora took center stage at the 2026 International Challenge Cup (ICC) in Tokyo, as dozens of Indonesian citizens (WNI) descended upon the stadium to rally behind the National Amputee Football Team.

Despite a hard-fought battle against host nation Japan on Friday, January 16, 2026, the overwhelming presence of the Indonesian community provided a powerful backdrop of solidarity for the squad’s debut performance.

Maria Renata Hutagalung, the Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, led the support alongside the Embassy's cultural attaché. Before the whistle blew, she visited the locker rooms to bolster the players' spirits, emphasizing that their conduct on the international stage is as significant as the scoreboard.

"Of course, we hope for a win in every match, but the most important thing is to maintain Indonesia's good name. Play by following all existing rules," she remarked, as reported by

The match itself was a tale of two halves. Indonesia’s defensive line held firm during a scoreless first period, matching Japan’s intensity.

However, the second half saw the hosts unleash a relentless offensive that eventually breached Indonesia’s guard three times, including a clinical penalty strike, resulting in a 0-3 defeat for the "Garuda" squad.

Addressing the loss, Head Coach Syahrul Ase pointed to physical conditioning as the decisive factor. "For the Indonesian team itself, we admit that due to stamina levels being below the average of the Japanese players, the players' focus and concentration eventually waned, leading to three goals in the second half. We apologize for not yet being able to provide the best result in the match against Japan," he said.

Despite the setback, the team remains resilient as they prepare for their next encounter against Poland on Saturday, January 17, 2026, followed by a clash with Spain on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Coach Syahrul signaled that a tactical shift is imminent to revitalize the squad's performance.

"Clearly, we will remain spirited and always fight to achieve victory. Thank you very much for the support of the Indonesian citizens and the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo who have supported the National Amputee Team directly," he added.

The ICC 2026, which features Japan, Indonesia, Poland, and Spain, has been hailed as a significant milestone for inclusive sports. Shinpei Takeda, Chairperson of the Japan Amputee Football Association (JAFA), expressed high regard for Indonesia’s participation, noting that the presence of the Indonesian supporters added a unique and festive atmosphere to the prestigious tournament. ***