FIFA Ranking For The Indonesian National Team Declines, PSSI Doesn't Sing

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum), Erick Thohir, responded to the decline in the FIFA ranking for the Indonesian national team. In the December 2024 edition, Garuda's squad ranking fell by two stairs to 127.

The Garuda squad fell two places from the previous position in the 175th post in November 2024 with a total of 1,135.11 points. However, unsatisfactory results in the last two matches of the 2024 AFF Cup reduced Indonesia's points by 1.7 and dropped to 127.

Even though Indonesia's ranking has decreased, Erick Thohir has no problem with it and is relaxed by understanding it.

"Yes, it's okay (the FIFA rating is down)," said Erick Thohir casually when met in Jakarta, Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Regarding the decline in Indonesia's ranking, Erick said that he had predicted this potential. The reason is, when appearing in the 2024 AFF Cup, the Garuda Squad does rely on the majority of young players.

"Indeed, it was predicted when we fielded young players in the 2024 AFF Cup, there must have been calculations."

"Yesterday against Myanmar, the Indonesian national team wanted to win, yes, win. Against Laos wanting to win, yes, the result was a draw," he said.

Furthermore, the Indonesian national team will face the Philippines in the last match of Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Saturday, December 21, 2024, WIB night.

In addition to winning over the Philippines, it is clear that the fate of the Garuda Squad to qualify for the 2024 AFF Cup semifinals, three points can again boost the ranking of FIFA for the Indonesian national team.

Currently, the Indonesian national team occupies second place in Group B with four points. The collection is the same as Myanmar, which is in third place. Meanwhile, Vietnam is at the top of the standings with seven points.

"Against Vietnam, we had predicted to lose yesterday. Now, lastly the opponents of the Philippines must win."

"If the target for the decline in ranking is indeed we have predicted. You see, the team wants to fight the senior team from many countries," said Erick Thohir.