Reading Comprehension 55

Materi Reading 55:

Several thousand people lined the streets in Jakarta on Friday, chanting, lighting flares and waving flags to welcome the triumphant Indonesian football team home from the Southeast Asian Games.

Indonesia defeated Thailand 5-2 in extra time in a bad-tempered men's final in Phnom Penh on Tuesday that saw four players sent off and two mass brawls.

 

The Asian Football Confederation and Thai football officials have vowed to investigate the violent scenes between the two sides. Thailand ended the final with eight players on the field

Putting the controversy to one side, the Indonesian squad paraded through central Jakarta in an open-top bus branded with the word "CHAMPIONS".

The win was Indonesia's first football gold at the regional Games in 32 years.

Fans, including schoolchildren, noisily saluted their heroes from the roadside and pedestrian bridges. Workers poured out of office buildings

"Today is a very special day for all of us," said Dito Ariotedjo, the sports minister.

"The day when we stand tall with red and white pride in our hearts."

Speaking at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Indonesian FA head Erick Thohir said he hoped the win would be the start of a "mental revolution" for Indonesian football.

Men's football at the biennial Games is played between under-23 sides

(Source: Channel News Asia)

DAFTAR VOCABULARY

Triumphant	Keberhasilan
Confederation	Konfiderasi
Investigate	Investigasi
Controversy	Kontroversi
Paraded	Diarak
Regional	Wilayah
Pedestrian	Pejalan kaki
Pride	Kebanggaan
Biennial	Dua tahunan
The sports minister	Kementerian olahraga