Schalker International: Ashila Amriyani

Why did you become a Schalke fan?
I actually didn’t like football when I was a child. As I grew up, I started to watch it and learnt more by watching matches across Europe, mainly in the Premier League and La Liga. When I first discovered the Bundesliga, I felt like I found my calling with Schalke. Something just pulled me in. I then began to follow the club more closely, so more than any other Bundesliga club. There wasn’t really a specific reason, I just watched Schalke and got hooked!

What’s supporting Schalke like in Indonesia? Are we popular?
Around 10 years ago, I remember having a heated discussion with a friend who supports Bayern because they knew I was the only Schalke fan in the area. It was a win for me, because I could learn about football even more and I could tell them all about Schalke. Since then, I have met some Indonesian Schalke fans on social media and we became Twitter mutuals after that. We often keep each other updated with various news and things going on. Nowadays, I feel like the number of fans here is increasing. We’re not just gaining more fans, but other football fans in general now know and recognise Schalke as a massive club in Germany.

Have you ever been to Germany or seen Schalke play?
Not yet, but hopefully I will in the future. It’s one of my dreams and when I first arrive in Germany I want to visit the ground. I want to feel what it’s like to be there, cheering the team on with the rest of the fans. That excitement to finally watch Schalke live at the VELTINS-Arena would be amazing.

Who is your all-time favourite Schalke player?
That would be Benedikt Höwedes. I loved the leadership and fighting spirit he showed. It was great how he loved this club and always gave everything he could.

What’s your most memorable Schalke game?
The 4-4 comeback against Dortmund. I was watching that so closely, not just following tweets. I screamed from the top of my lungs when Naldo equalised in added time. That game really made my day.

What makes Schalke special?
Football is not just about the way you play on the pitch, but also the things that happen off it. The fans played a big role in me falling in love with this club, aside from the players and the history. Their loyalty and the sense of belonging you have makes Schalke even more special. We win together, lose together and will be bounce back together as soon as possible.

Finally, why would you recommend supporting Schalke?
A footballer once said “you learn nothing from winning but you learn everything from defeat.” I hold onto that after every football match I watch, no matter how stressful it was or even when the result was not exactly what we wanted. Wearing the Royal Blue colours makes football even more enjoyable that it already is. The road of supporting Schalke might be bumpy sometimes, but trust me it’s worth it.