Erick Thohir: ASEAN Countries Have Started To Increase Their Football Standards

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir warned that currently the standards of football in Southeast Asian countries have increased. This can be seen in the latest matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In the matches played Thursday, March 21, the South Korean national team was held to a 1-1 draw by Thailand, while Singapore held China to a 2-2 draw. I see ASEAN countries ( Southeast Asia) have started to improve their football standards. We saw yesterday the same Korean series Thailand, Singapore series with China. That is, if we are just happy to this day, yes we will not develop," said Erick quoting Antara. In the match played on the same day, the Indonesian national team won 1-0 over Vietnam to keep the chances of qualifying for the next round. Just as I said when Vietnam was 5-6 years ago we were confused. Yes, we have to continue to improve ourselves. So it's not just a skill, but how the team's game and must also have the courage to be physically tough,'' he added. Erick gave a little leak that the two most recent naturalized players, namely Thom Haye and Ragnar Oratmangoen, could likely be played against Vietnam on Tuesday, March 26. Thom Haye and Ragnar could already play on the 26th,' said the figure who is also the Minister of BUMN. On that occasion, Erick also said that five senior national team players are currently experiencing a fever. Although it does not specify the players in question, but one of the players who according to Erick is having a fever is right-back Yakob Sayuri.

"Today I can report almost five of our players suffering from fever. Maybe the air conditions are changing and we'll also see that some of our players who play abroad are adapting quite difficult," he said. The matter of the five players with fever, Erick also stated that he could not provide information whether the five of them would still be brought to Vietnam. Indonesia currently occupies second place in the 2026 World Cup qualifying Group F standings, with a collection of four points. The Garuda team is currently five points behind leaders of Iraq, and one point ahead of Vietnam's closest competitors.