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Could Merah Putih Meet Brazil and Argentina?
Wimbo Satwiko & Istman MP | August 16, 2010

In this file photo, Brazil In this file photo, Brazil's players pose before their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Argentina. Could Indonesia's national team meet these countries in friendly matches? (AP Photo/Alberto Raggio)
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eremem
8:39am Aug 16, 2010

can PSSI spend it elsewhere so the team can beat their ASEAN rivals, pathetic.

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Jakarta. Sharing the same pitch with the stars of Argentina or Brazil: a dream come true for Indonesia’s national players, or a pipe-dream from our top sports officials?

The National Team Body (BTN) says it plans to invite the South American sides for friendlies in Jakarta later this year. It wants to schedule a tune-up for the Merah Putih with Argentina on Oct. 12 and Brazil on Nov. 7.

The two have a combined seven World Cup titles under their belts. Brazil is third in the FIFA world rankings, Argentina fifth.

There is the small matter of cost, however. The match fees — $1.5 million for Brazil and $1.2 million for Argentina — could leave BTN’s idea dead in the water.

BTN chief Iman Arif said the body brought up the idea because Brazil and Argentina were due to be in the region at the time.

“Brazil will travel to Thailand, while Argentina is likely to play in China. So I think it’s possible to bring them to Jakarta,” Iman said. “We’re ready to pay for their transport and accommodation, but the match fee is very high.”

BTN has also sent a requests to the football associations of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea for friendlies. It has also confirmed a match with the reserve team of English Premier League club Arsenal in October.

Meanwhile, BTN has said it will continue with its plan to recruit players of Indonesian descent from the Netherlands and make them Indonesian citizens.

BTN has been working with the Dutch football association to organize a training camp in the Netherlands in September.

“These players will go through different stages in the selection process, and we will choose five of the best players. After that we will offer them a chance to play for Indonesia,” Iman said.

“[Youth and Sports] Minister Andi Malarangeng told me he has spoken to the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights regarding the matter, and they’re ready to help.”

Andi said his ministry was supporting the idea. “The PSSI [Indonesia Football Association] has to file a recommendation letter to the justice ministry,” said Andi, who added that the process “was not going to be easy.”

The government has also given the PSSI Rp 10 billion — half the budget it had sought — to hold national team training camps and youth development programs.

PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid said the budget would go to scouting for new talent. Plans were also in place to improve football infrastructure nationwide, he said.

“This is the first time we’ve received funding from government, so we have to fully use it. Our target is a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games next year.”