Indonesia National Football Team, Squad, Injuries, Schedule and Stats

Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI)

The Indonesian football association, Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI), is the governing body of football activities in Indonesia. Founded in 1930 in Yogyakarta, the PSSI is responsible for overseeing all amateur and professional clubs, as well as focusing on player development from grassroots to the professional level. They are also responsible for organizing all the major competitions in Indonesia, including the top-tier Liga 1 and the Piala Indonesia (Indonesian Cup). Headed by Erick Thohir, the PSSI is also the body that manages both the men's and women's national teams. PSSI is known for the 2015 FIFA Suspension, when the Indonesia football team was suspended by FIFA due to government interference in the running of the National League. This meant that the team was barred from the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, representing a dark phase in Indonesian football.

History of Indonesia National Football Team: Early Years

The Indonesian national football team history began on 13 May 1934, competing as “Dutch East Indies” against Japan, winning 7-1. During this era, Indonesia made history by being the first Asian country to participate in a World Cup in 1938. On 5 March 1951, they won their first official match as Indonesia, with a 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei. The golden age of Indonesia began in the 1960s, led by the legendary top scorer Soetjipto Soentoro. While continental success was limited, they established themselves as a powerhouse in Southeast Asia, with the team finishing as runners-up a record six times in the AFF Championship. However, after the 2000s, the FA was marred by controversies, hindering the team's performance, with the most known case being the FIFA suspension in 2015 due to government interference. After the ban was lifted, the team began a complete overhaul, which paid off in the 2020s under manager Shin Tae-yong. Led by a new generation of European-based players, the team successfully qualified for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and reached the final stages of World Cup qualifying. He was succeeded by the Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert being the new Indonesia national football team coach.

Home Stadium of Indonesia National Football Team

The Indonesia football team plays the vast majority of its home matches at two main venues - Jakarta International Stadium and Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. The main Indonesia national football team stadium is the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) in Jakarta. The GBK is one of the most iconic stadiums in Asia, known for their incredible fan atmosphere. The stadium, which was originally built for the 1962 Asian Games, is a symbol of national pride and extraordinary architecture, famous for its extraordinary design and distinctive steel roof.

The stadium serves as the home ground of Liga 1 side Persija Jakarta and is also known for hosting the Piala Indonesia (Indonesian Cup) final. The stadium has also hosted some of the most iconic matches in Asian football history, including the 2007 AFC Asian Cup Final and several AFF Championship finals.

Indonesia National Football Team: Achievements & Honours

The Indonesian National Football Team holds historic significance in world football. They are mainly known for being the first-ever Asian nation to participate in the FIFA World Cup, achieving this feat in 1938 under the name of the Dutch East Indies. The team has also established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in Southeast Asian history. However, the team has failed to win any continental titles.

Regionally, the team has been a dominant force in the AFF Championship (or the Southeast Asian Football Championship). While they have never won the tournament, they hold the record for the most runner-up finishes with six. The nation's only major international titles came from the Southeast Asian Games, where the football team won the gold medal on two occasions, in 1987 and 1991, cementing their status as one of the most feared teams in Asia.