Written by Mark Worang
Timnas Garuda: Breaking the concrete ceiling
Dubbed as a ‘sleeping giant’ Indonesia’s National Football team presents a newly optimistic vision for fans sharing the love of the game. A window of opportunity has emerged for the nation’s golden generation to showcase their ability, capitalizing its chances within international tournaments. Following the appointment of Erick Thohir as Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI)’s incumbent chairman, breakthroughs spanning across—gender with women’s football and age groups from junior to senior level—are visible with prestigious achievements including its debut milestone winning the 2024 AFF Women’s cup. His primary goal (pun intended) is long-term progress and attainment of reaching the FIFA World Cup. Deconstructing it further, he aims to achieve this objective through rigorous structural and systemic development through the team’s—programmes, players and staff whether managerial or coaching—ensuring a multidimensional approach which his predecessors have failed to recognise. Prior to leading the country’s football organization, Erick has demonstrated gifting within the realm of the private sector and public administration. With an eye for talent, he began owning international and domestic sports giants namely—Inter Milan, DC United, Oxford United, Persis Solo for football along with Philadelphia 76ers and Satria Muda for basketball—consolidating his presence in the national and global stage. Equipped with a shiny track record and global network, he earned his place in power after proving himself through hosting the 2018 Asian Games and campaigning for 7th Indonesian president Joko Widodo, securing himself a spot as a government minister of State-Owned Enterprises before being ordained with authority to lead Timnas Garuda. This narration will highlight key themes representing Indonesia’s success and future whilst flagging the barriers preventing Indonesia’s move forward. It will begin by discussing pivotal moments during the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup and end with the prospects Indonesia possess moving forward.
The beginning of the start
Crediting the sorely missed Korean manager Shin Tae-yong, the upbeat of the national team began in Qatar, where it revealed the striking potential of Indonesian youth. Challenging a tournament favourite Australia, Ernando Ari started the game with an early critical penalty save against Mohamed Toure after a handball from Komang Teguh. Redeeming himself after the foul, Teguh then capitalized a beautiful slice volley from the naturalised Nathan Tjoe-A-On securing the first 3 points during the group stage. Snowballing ahead with momentum, Indonesian wonderkid Marselino Ferdinan set the tone with the Jordanians through a successful penalty execution. Known as the Batman and Robin duo Marselino and Witan Sulaeman scored two more times with confidence including a goal of the tournament candidate. Among the three Indonesian Rory Delap style set-piece takers, Pratama Arhan also displayed his signature powerful throw-in, assisting a header for Teguh sealing the deal in a 4-1 victory leading to the knockout stages. Faced against incumbent giants South Korea FIFA ranking at least 100 places above Indonesia, Rafael Struick showed up as the consistently capped number 9 with 2 goals ultimately reaching a draw finishing extra-time. With a nail-biting shootout and synchronized cheering from passionate supporters of the national chant “Yo Ayo, Ayo Indonesia”, once again Ernando saved Lee Kang-hee’s shot and Arhan won with a ticket to the Semi-Final against Uzbekistan. Although this meant that Indonesia had secured another place for the same biennial competition, a victory in the next game was necessary to obtain a place in the 2024 Olympic Games. After a series of controversial referee decisions, including a disallowed goal from a questionable VAR offside angle position, Indonesia’s peak performance was cut short. It continued to a streak of losses against Iraq for third place and then Guinea for a seat in the Olympics stage with more unfair value judgement from FIFA in the Stade Pierre Pibarot. Despite Erick’s best efforts to—create appeals, as well as sitting beside Gianni Infantino, motivate management and his team—the critical juncture had closed, but this allowed creation of precedents for the new lineup.
The concrete ceiling
As a sport, football is not merely a vacuum immune to the injustices and societal conditionings of the world, with the game systemically plagued through deeply rooted racism affecting equity of opportunity, especially towards Indonesia’s football development. While present at all levels, it can still be invisible to the naked eye, riddled with regional prejudice whether from Vietnamese or Malaysian media, Indonesia have faced judgement from naturalising players through its colonial counterpart Netherlands. At a global scale, naturalisation of mixed-race White Dutch, Javanese or Moluccan descent players have caused uproar towards the wider public. When compared with either Black French or Brazilian players, this double standard may not be as salient as their skill has been internationally recognized. However, those who have decided to pursue a role in Asia minor have been deemed as rejects or the B-team of the central squad. The domestic Indonesian scene has also been reluctant to accept naturalised players due to worries regarding the quota of local players in the final squads. With globalised ideas of culture war politics, Indonesia uniquely exports this polarity in football with hired buzzers and pundits constantly critiquing the national football squad with polemic rhetoric. Separating mainland and inlander players have casted division between fans instead of uniting the umbrella of the national team, supporting them through thick and thin. Confronted with this predicament, as a professional, Erick constantly spins plates given naughty problems including—failed presidential candidates using football as a platform during the cancelled U-20 FIFA World Cup, hooliganism, mafia and match fixing issues in the second division—that has clouded PSSI over the past decade. Acknowledging these challenges are essential to understand the task Erick has, which at most times are beyond his control. Qualified as the best man for the job, he has reiterated on multiple occasions that the blueprint is long term, and he aims to fix the structural issues not just symptoms of the problem. Carefully crafting the steps for the benefit of development, he has deployed personal European networks he gleaned over his prestigious career.
Coming from South Asia, football falls behind regional competitors especially against South America or African nations whereby—naturally embedded talent, posture, culture—are tried and tested. The premier league, considered as the mecca of football competition creates a limit to international players while with variation this also applies to La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga as well. Given that the Eurocentric gaze is strong as a nation, Indonesia’s place whether with naturalised or local players are smaller than scouted players associated with bigger agencies for top flight football. Even breaking into farmers leagues or lesser-known European teams would be considered as an honour for most of the players vying for attention to represent the national team. Erick, aware of the barrier and inadequate support, employs his status attempting to address the issue. As a case in point, Marselino Ferdinan was running out of contract with Deinze in Belgium, so Erick decided to rescue him to his club Oxford United by merit of his potential. Provided that smaller clubs are less capable of accommodating foreign players, this situation is not uncommon. Even Rafael Struick who is of mixed race had to be released on a free transfer and a similar situation occurred wherein Erick once again used an Indonesian owner of club Brisbane Roar to allow Rafael to join. Of course, this privilege is not afforded to every player depending on their individual performance and work rate. Then again, it reveals the inequality that exists requiring even an elite member such as Erick to move mountains in pursuit of success.
Apart from the already naturalised players, persuading more A-grade players is an ongoing priority both through the association and enthusiastic fans, searching for Indonesian lineage in the players’ base. Persuading quality talent including well sought positions such as striker Ole Romeny is crucial, as Erick had invited him to watch the game against Japan and recruited him to his team the U’s transferring from Utrecht. Negotiating with players who previously rejected Indonesia has also been key, such as Emil Audero, who was recruited by Como after his short stint at Inter Milan, also assisted by another Indonesian Director linked. However, even though alternative pathways are found, and players are willing to join, challenges within FIFA regulatory and legality are still encountered to convert a players’ status. FC Dallas star goalkeeper Maarten Paes was one of those who previously defended the Dutch National team in younger age groups and PSSI had to appeal to FIFA setting back naturalisation by months. This is currently occurring with player Jairo Riedewald’s process as well because he has also defended the Netherlands at U-21 level, creating precarity for the midfield position. With the primary focus on the senior team, Erick does not neglect the other age groups as well with the women’s team’s development, setting him apart from the previous leadership. More emerging U20 talent from—Brazil Welber Jardim, homegrown Marselinus Ama Ola in Spain, as well as the rest from Netherlands, Jens Raven, Dion Marx and Tim Geypens—are being trained to lead the future squad regeneration. Inclusive of the female team, Noa Leatomu and Estella Loupatty have been added to the arsenal of female talent. The addition of Erick has boosted the capabilities as well as political will in parliament to convince the government that the programme will succeed in partnership with Indonesia’s sports minister and congress.
Surprised by hope
Prospects for funding have also increased from the executive branch to reach the 2026 world cup which have also attracted foreign talent beyond the player level. The most recent addition to the team Jordi Cruyff, son of Barca legend Johan Cruyff was inducted as Technical Director of the senior squad. Welcoming new Head Coach Patrick Kluivert with mixed responses, fans are acclimating to the departure of Shin Tae Yong. Softening the blow, Bahasa Indonesian speaking Denny Landzaat is part of his staff bringing a connection that fans did not have with the previous pick. Thom Haye’s former coach Alex Pastoor as assistant also has the potential to bring seamless communication for Dutch bred players. After the victory against Saudi Arabia, confidence has grown, and it could be that destiny has been paved forward. Reflecting on Euro 2020, had the Spanish Pedri not joined the Olympics squad he would not have been injured constantly. This applies to the young Marselino if he had qualified, and the road not taken allowed him to score two goals for Garuda and bag 3 points. Yet changes had to be made to prevent complacency and healthy competition for a starting position. Among those sidelined from management were players like Elkan Baggott and Saddil Ramdani who had clashing visions with the coaches. Now reconciliation might be possible with a renewed hope in the PSSI. Targets have been earmarked to qualify for the world cup whether through a home run in the third round or further stages this year. Garuda requires the resilience and persistence to prevent the disappointment returning from the U-23 Asian Cup mentioned earlier. Amidst the woes and failures of the past, Erick is fighting tooth and nail applying his best repertoire. Having said that, football has become a symbolic hope and invigoration towards wider Indonesian patriotism, shaping the nation’s perception as an underdog; with a lot to prove, Timnas Garuda can seize the day as pioneers making history.
