Jakarta Casual

With the FIFA Series done and dusted and Indonesia generally receiving warm acclaim for their performances under new coach John Herdman, a look back at their performances in friendlies over the four and a bit years.

The first thing that leaps out is the quality of the opponent. For a side that fancies itself as a challenger for AFC Asian Cup Qualification, playing the likes of Chinese Taipei and Timor Leste isn't perhaps the best preparation

One area where Indonesia has traditionally struggled in international football is physicality, especially when coming up against the larger players from the Middle East. If the naturalisation programme, with players brought up mostly in Europe with a bigger frame, is to continue, then perhaps the Garuda would be in a better position to go toe to toe with physically stronger players

This would suggest targeting opponents from North Africa, Europe and perhaps even Central Asia

But over the years, when it comes to lining up friendlies, Indonesia is a slow starter. Yes, they got Argentina but do you think that was dreamt up by the PSSI or was it an AFA initiative? Likewise, Bulgaria only landed at Soekarno-Hatta because FIFA organised it

Organised football nations plan their friendlies months in advance and are not left scrambling around seeing who's left

I'm sensing a genuine feel-good factor around the national team at the moment. Not a bandwagon like we saw in 2010 where politicians and celebrities suddenly discovered football as the Merah-Putih advanced to the AFF Championship Final in front of massive crowds at Bung Karno before buggering off never to be seen again, but a more measured, more realistic approach where difficulties and weaknesses are acknowledged and appreciated

Friendlies

27/01/2022 v Timor Leste 4-1 Gianyar

30/01/2022 v Timor Leste 3-0 Gianyar

01/06/2022 v Bangladesh 0-0 8,615 Soreang

24/09/2022 v Curacao 3-2 7,095 Bandung

27/09/2022 v Curacao 2-1 21,819 Cibinong

25/03/2023 v Burundi 3-1 4,448 Bekasi

28/03/2023 v Burundi 2-2 2,028 Bekasi

14/06/2023 v Palestine 0-0 32,537 Surabaya

19/06/2023 v Argentina 0-2 56,060 Jakarta

08/09/2023 v Turkmenistan 2-0 13,814 Surabaya

05/09/2025 v Chinese Taipei 6-0 24,272 Surabaya

08/09/2025 v Lebanon 0-0 27,052 Surabaya

27/03/2026 v St Kitts & Nevis 4-0 26,703 Jakarta

30/03/2026 v Bulgaria 0-1 24,174 Jakarta

Federations

AFC - 5 games

CONCACAF - 3 games

CONMEBOL - 1 game

CAF - 2 games

UEFA - 1 game

Stadiums

Bali x 2

Soreang x 1

Bandung x 1

Cibinong x 1

Bekasi x 2

Surabaya x 4

Jakarta x 3

# posted by Me @ 5:40 PM