REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian football pundit Justinus Lhaksana marks three important figures in the rise of the Indonesian national team on the international scene. They are coach Shin Tae-yong, PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir, and RI President Joko Widodo. Thanks to his third attempt, Indonesia's FIFA ranking has now climbed to 129th place.

Koci, his greeting, said Shin Tae-yong came to deal with a team that was then ranked 174 in the world in roughing player material. Then came Erick Thohir as General Chairman of PSSI who had a vision to raise Indonesia to the rank of 100.

“STY conveyed the player's need for national squad depth, and Erick met STY's, as well as professional, demand by asking STY to reach agreed targets. The results we have seen so far, our ranking has increased by 40 points more,” Koci, who has managed the Indonesian futsal team, said in a statement received by Republika.co.id on Monday (7/10/2024).

However, the collaboration of the two could not go without the role of President Jokowi. Because, the naturalization of players required by PSSI needs strong government support. On this side, Jokowi showed his seriousness in supporting the PSSI program under Erick's command.

“I once said that only RI1 can save Indonesian football, and that proved when President Jokowi called the FIFA president so that we would not be sanctioned after Kanjuruhan,” Coach Justin said.

“Not only that, Jokowi also has a vision and a big role in supporting our football. Both when we hosted the U-17 World Cup last year, and our diaspora naturalisation processes all require approval from the President to the Parliament.”

According to him, the target set by PSSI for the Indonesian national team to enter the top 100 of the FIFA ranking will be achieved in the near future as long as PSSI handles Erick with Shin as coach. Provided Indonesia has a striker with a sharper goalscoring instinct than at present.

“If Saudi Arabia alone is in FIFA's 54th position, then we have to be sure it can be like them. In the future, it has to rise further and in another 6 to 7 years, we can compete with Saudi Arabia,” Justin said.

He also hopes that support for PSSI and the Indonesian national team will continue when Indonesia is led by Prabowo Subianto.

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