Patrick Kluivert Comes, Indra Sjafri Please Implement Indonesian Football Philosophy

Indra Sjafri has met Patrick Kluivert to speak of the philosophy of Indonesian football (Instagram/@timasindonesia).

JAKARTA - The presence of Patrick Kluivert as the new coach of the Indonesian National Team was welcomed by Indra Sjafri.

The U-20 Indonesian national team coach hopes that the CLuivert from the Netherlands can implement the philosophy of Indonesian character football.

Indra Sjafri expressed that hope because he felt that the style of football in other countries did not match the game of the Garuda Squad.

"We have to wait, he (Patrick Kluiver) hasn't started working yet. We'll wait. Therefore, I have an obligation to provide input," said Indra Sjafri on the sidelines of the U-20 Indonesian national team training at the Madya Stadium, Senayan, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

"Indeed, the philosophy of football (which is according to the character of the country of origin) will guide him forward or not. Rank 1-20 in the world, it is a country that has a philosophy," said Indra Sjafri.

After meeting, Indra Sjafri said that Kluivert also agreed that Indonesian football should be built with Indonesian roots that are in accordance with developments.

"I spoke yesterday with him (Kluivert), Indonesian children will be comfortable playing in Indonesian ways and he agrees. The Dutch will be comfortable playing the Dutch way," he said.

Armed with a long experience dealing with the Indonesian age category team since 2011, Indra Sjafri said the Indonesian style of playing makes players look more comfortable and loose.

"Including so far, it is said that the Indonesian players' passing is bad, for example, but (The U-20 Indonesian National Team) can win with Argentina (2-1 at the Seoul Earth On Us Cup 2024)."

"The proof is that 65 percent of the possession ball occurs in 586 passes, 85 percent is successful. Indonesian child passing will be bad if it is played with an inappropriate game plan."

"Therefore, I said, let's maximize the existing potential, don't change the potential," he said again.

Indra Sjafri hopes that the public can provide support for Kluiver even though he is present as a new coach. It takes time to make a tough team.

"Because none of the coaches can become magicrs. Maximizing the existing potential, moreover we are strengthened by the potentials of descent which I think are extraordinary."

"It is this combination of descendants and localities that must synergize, which must work hand in hand to be successful," said Indra Sjafri.