Indonesia And Thailand Involved In Elephant Football In 1998 AFF Cup

JAKARTA - The enthusiasm of the Indonesian people for the presence of the AFF Cup is very high. The desire to see the national team (teamnas) lift the highest trophy in Southeast Asia became the estuary. However, this desire often leads to disappointment. Especially when Indonesia competed in the 1998 AFF Cup. All football lovers were disappointed with the Indonesia-Thailand match in the preliminary round. Both teams perpetuate elephant football. Alias both of them deliberately play not serious. That said, afraid to meet Vietnam.

The journey of Indonesian football is full of twists and turns. It even tends to have a lot of twists and turns. The problems of Indonesian football are many. So is the drama. The issue of fixing the score becomes a problem that cannot be solved from time to time. Every time it is eradicated, the soccer mafia or what was formerly known as the 'bribery pig' actually grows more and more. Though the embedded damage is quite severe. Bribery pigs that usually fix the score of matches and ensure a club wins or loses, can 'blindly' damage the entire image of Indonesian football. From the image of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), clubs, coaches, referees, to players.

The tub had fallen down the stairs. The image was further exacerbated by the presence of the elephant football scandal. This scandal usually stems from the desire to set the score between one team or another. Deliberately giving up, for example. The goal is for a team to get an advantage to be able to determine a position in the standings. It can also be used as an invitation to determine the next opponent in a trophy struggle. This practice has damaged Indonesia's image in the world of football. Or in a diplomatic language, Indonesia will be left behind from other countries.

"So, don't be surprised if our football world is often colored by strange issues. During the leadership of Acub Zainal as Chairman of PSSI, there was a fuss about the issue of 'bribery pigs' because many wanted to win by bribing referees or opposing players. There is also the issue of 'elephant football', that a team deliberately beats itself by playing like a chubby elephant.”

“What ridiculous is, there was once the term 'Pancasila football' which didn't make any sense at all. It's said, Pancasila requires harmony and prohibits liberalism or free competition. Well, in Pancasila football, there can be a joint champion so that there are two teams that won. To me this is ridiculous. This is really ridiculing Pancasila," said Mahfud MD in the book Gus Dur: Islam, Politik, dan Kebangsaan (Gus Dur: Islam, Politics, and Nationality), 2010.

1998 AFF Cup elephant football

The elephant football scandal that is most memorable is in the 1998 AFF Cup (formerly: Tiger Cup). This bad image remains in the minds of the Indonesian people. It all started with the action of the Indonesian national team which held the final party to win the title of Group A Champion.

At that time, Indonesia appeared so mighty by beating the Philippines with a score of 3-0. Then Myanmar 6-2. While Thailand itself was held to a 1-1 draw with Myanmar. Then won against the Philippines 3-1.

The result made both Thailand and Indonesia certain to advance to the Semi-Finals. Even so, to determine the winners and runners-up of Group A, there is still one game waiting. The match was between Indonesia and Thailand.

The final match should be an attractive match. Moreover, the match can be a place to show off their teeth to show the existence of their respective national teams competing at Thong Nat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

But, far from roasting fire. The two teams actually perpetuate the game of elephant football. Because, both teams were trying to lose on purpose, because they didn't want to meet Vietnam – the host – who was seeded. It was clear that both of them did not want to win the duel. Then, the public was increasingly convinced that they had smelled the elephant's football sign from the unusual rotation of core players.

The match was boring. Even if mutual goals occur. Indonesia took the lead through Miro Baldo bento in 53 minutes. Then Krisada Piandit replied in 62 minutes. Aji Santoso turned things around with his goal in 83 minutes. Three minutes later Thailand equalized to 2-2 through Therdsak Chaiman.

The highlight of elephant football came from Mursyid Effendi's own goal in the 90th minute. The goal drew a lot of criticism. Allegedly it was intentional and had been arranged in such a way. One of Indonesia's mainstay players at that time, Hartono.

He had admitted that there was a joke from Indonesian players to avoid Vietnam in the Semi-Finals. In fact, the joke continued until the warm-up time ahead of the match. However, Hartono did not consider it as serious. The joke was seen as a joke.

After that, Indonesia actually lost to Singapore in the Semi-Finals 1-2. Similarly, Thailand lost to Vietnam 0-3. Indonesia is more fortunate. The Indonesian national team won third place because they won from Thailand in a 3-3 (5-4) penalty shoot-out. Singapore then won the 1998 Tiger Cup after beating Vietnam 1-0.

"To my knowledge, as far as I can remember, it (intentionally scoring an own goal) in the briefing was not discussed. How we beat it, or how we had to lose, or so on, it was not discussed."

"I don't know if it's possible, maybe, yes, there will be discussions or other meetings on other occasions," Hartono said as written by Skor.id.

PSSI chairman resigns

The elephant football scandal of the Indonesian national team made the General Chair of PSSI, Azwar Anas (1991-1998) shaken. The incident in Indonesia that he deliberately lost was considered a disgrace to his leadership. Even if there are those who defend it is purely a mistake, not a setting. Azwar Anas, who watched the Indonesian game himself, admitted that Indonesia was playing elephant football.

It was sad to see a national player accidentally kick the ball into his own goal. He also heard himself that the Vietnamese population was also angry. They had a demonstration in front of the Kimbo Hotel, which at that time was the place for the Indonesian national team to stay.

Then he considered the elephant soccer game as a betrayal of the nation. The only way he took was to resign from his position as General Chairperson of PSSI as a form of responsibility. He retreated chivalrously.

“The climax of the dramatic event happened quickly, as if everything had been arranged by a perfect scenario. He came to the airport to pick up the arrival of the national team, who returned -- if a clichéd phrase can be used -- after defending the name of the nation and state."

"They were welcomed because they came home safely. However, it was also at that time that he said that from that hour and day he would resign as chairman of PSSI. When defeat has been tainted by dishonesty, what else is left for the sport to hold on to?” closed Taufik Abdullah in the foreword to Azwar Anas' book: Teladan Dari Ranah Minang (Examples from Minang Land), 2011.

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