Indonesian National Team has played football below their standard due to the internal limitation that is set by KPSI. KPSI, who has also known as the organization that previously claimed to be “the savior” for Indonesia Football, has started to make a move previously on historical 10-0 defeat against Bahrain. At that time, five players including the 2nd goal keeper Kurnia Meiga, was suddenly decided to resign from the national team. This condition has damage the team preparation accordingly. Thanks to that unexpected event, the third goal keeper that have no international caps had to face 4 penalty kick on his first math for Indonesia, after the senior keeper got a red card. Of course at that time, this scheme perfectly hidden due to the shock created with the biggest lost. Months after that, it is clear that Kurnia Meiga actually has joined the club that played in ISL, the league that is supported by KPSI.
The Old Talent within ISL
Being a breakaway league, ISL has already filled with Indonesia well known talents. The Name such as Bambang Pamungkas, one of the Indonesian players with most international caps, was already on the line of KPSI supporter. The player who is once known as a nationalist player was turned into a “professional” player all of sudden. In the name of professionalism, Bambang and most of the ISL player was rejecting the duty to support the national team.
Building the Team from Zero
Thanks to the rejection, PSSI have a difficult time in building the national team.The tournament international tournament held in Palestine and Brunei Darussalam fortunately has made a room for new footballer faces to arise. And the trend of finding new talent within the amateur side has also brought positive trend on the latest Indonesia U22 performance. Indonesia has found another young talent around in Rashid, Hendra Bayau, Agung and many other new faces.
It is worth to note that during the period of Palestine Tournament up to AFC U22 qualification, there are players that actually set the initiative to answer the call to join the national team despite of the threat that is set by KPSI. Diego Michels has become the first to move out from Pelita, the club competing in ISL, despite of the threat that the player will face considerable consequence. The next line that joined the national team is the Papuan trio. They are Tibo, Okto and Wanggai. Just like Diego Michels, the trio is also faced numerous threat after considering to join the national team. Okto was even kick out from club, the Persiram without any clear compensation.
Pure Inspiration VS KPSI Intimidation
The risky dedication on the Indonesia national team that is shown by these young players fortunately has also made the senior player such as Bambang Pamungkas and Co. begin to reconsider the rejection on supporting the Indonesia National Team. The willingness to support the national team against Valencia on next game, once again is shadowed by KPSI threat for any ISL player who interested to support the national team.The Chairman of KPSI, La Nyalla Mattaliti even stated that the player who joining the national team is a bunch of amateur fool players that know nothing about organizational matter.
The decision to support the national team by “the elder” player may seem to be a late sign, but most of the Indonesia national team supporter believed that this will help the team to back on the higher standard ever. The presence of the senior within the young team hopefully will inspire the younger player to perform better. Even further, this decision hopefully will be a good example on how the reconciliation process within Indonesian Football advocated in a positive manner by the player.
“From the ashes we arise!!! We are Indonesia.”
