Midday kick offs may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Especially those with long journeys and thick heads from the night before. For us here in Indonesia they are manna from heaven. Being seven hours ahead of UK time it means a 7 pm start is comfortable for many people without incurring a late night.

For Saturday’s game the Arsenal Indonesia Supporters Club had booked Bros Lounge with IndoManUtd and a big turnout was expected. The monsoonal downpour that covered much of Jakarta in the hours leading up to kick off did little to dampen the ardour of both sets of fans as they slowly filled the bar in great anticipation.

By kick off some 150 people were shoehorned into the small lounge bar and seats were at a premium. The United fans outnumbered the Arsenal contingent; possibly by two to one but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm.

Looking around the smoke filled bar it is easy to see why clubs are targeting the South East Asian market. Probably three quarters of the fans there were wearing club shirts while many also wore S.C merchandise. I know of at least a couple of Indonesian United fans who have in the past flown to Singapore or KL or even Old Trafford itself to see their heroes even though they have never set foot in a local stadium. Likewise some of the Arsenal receive reverent treatment; verily they are blessed for they have been to both Highbury and the Emirates. But for most it is a holy grail that will ever evade them. Hence the popularity of nights like this.

Indonesia lacks the drinking culture of England but it was easy to imagine myself in a bar back in London during the match. Both sets of fans knew the songs though I must admit only the Arsenal turned to abusing others. Indeed after Gallas’ late equalizer as the Indo Arsenal went mental in front of the large screen as one they turned on the disconsolate United fans and, as one, yelled ‘who the f*** are Man United?’ A lovely moment!

Arsenal may not be as popular as United and Liverpool here, even Chelsea have larger numbers locally thanks to Roman’s millions, but those that do follow the Arse understand that we have a certain class. Hence as the cameras panned to Tevez the United fans, aping the Stretford End, started chanting Ar Gen Tina. The Arsenal, not forgetting their roots, responded with In Do Ne Sia. And it all went quiet over there!

Not all games are as well attended as this one though. A few weeks back, Portsmouth at home, perhaps 20 fans turned up, looking forward to meeting Paul Sixsmith, the Arsenal Soccer Schools Franchise Manager, who was in town to help launch a new school in Jakarta. For lads unlikely to get to London this was a real treat to meet someone who actually represented the club they adore from afar.

Last week for the Carling Cup at Sheffield United there was no gathering. A few hardy souls, me included, were up at 3 am to catch the game on the BBC website via text updates! This week we have Champions League action and our game is on delayed telecast. That’s a 5 am start! And next week we have Reading, 8 pm UK time. No gathering in bars this time, those of us with the satellite TV will be up early, blurry eyed, cheering on our team from afar.

To read more of Jakarta Casual’s writing, his blog can be found here.