In the 94th minute at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on September 28, 2026, the FIFA Asean Cup match between Indonesia and Malaysia hung on a single motion. Indonesian defender Justin Hubner lunged to block a strike from Dion Cools, a desperate clearance that spared his side. For the thousands in the stands, the moment was more than a tactical reprieve; it was a visceral shock. Many fans reported their “heart dropping” or “heart stopping” as the ball neared the net, a reaction to a match already strained by Thom Haye’s 36th-minute red card.
The Biology of the ‘Deg-Degan’
Cardiologist dr. Vito Anggarino Damay, SpJP, identifies this “deg-degan”—or heart-pounding sensation—as a classic biological response to acute stress. When a fan witnesses a high-stakes moment like a goal-line save, the body initiates a sharp adrenaline release. It is the same chemical mechanism triggered by the fight-or-flight response, preparing the human system to flee from a perceived threat.
Brain Signals and the Danger Response
According to Dr. Vito, the brain processes the anticipation of a negative outcome—such as conceding a goal—as a genuine danger signal. The visual input from the pitch travels to the brain, which then commands the heart to accelerate. Even after Hubner neutralized the immediate threat posed by Cools, the physiological anxiety remained, rooted in the body’s continued readiness for a setback.
Sustained Alertness in Added Time
The cardiovascular system does not reset instantly. Because the match remained in its final, volatile moments, the spectators’ minds continued to scan for potential threats until the referee’s final whistle. Dr. Vito notes that this prolonged anticipation keeps the heart rate elevated. The body stays on high alert, scanning environmental cues within the stadium and awaiting the conclusion of the game to signal a return to baseline.
Ten Men Against the Clock
The tension during those final seconds was the culmination of a grueling tactical battle. Reduced to ten men following Thom Haye’s dismissal in the 36th minute, the Indonesian squad had spent nearly an hour maintaining a compact defensive structure against a relentless Malaysian attack. Hubner’s 94th-minute block was the final, defining test of that discipline, providing a cathartic release for a crowd stretched to its physical limit.
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