Indonesia's 'curse' of failure

Over the past decade, all the glory that Indonesian football has achieved at youth levels has been marked by local coaches.

Young Indonesian players cannot achieve success with foreign coaches. Photo: Hai Ho .

Over the past 12 years, from U16 to U23, all of Indonesia’s titles have been associated with two familiar names: Indra Sjafri and Bima Sakti. These are the rare domestic coaches who have helped Indonesian youth football rise to the regional stage, in a context where foreign coaches, despite high expectations, have continuously failed.

This is a reality that the Indonesian media calls the "irreversible law" of Indonesian football. Mr. Bima Sakti made his mark when he helped Indonesia U16 win the AFF U16 Championship in 2022, a rare achievement at the youth level.

Meanwhile, coach Indra Sjafri is considered a symbol of success when he brought home 4 major titles for Indonesian youth football. He helped the U19 team win the AFF Championship twice (2013 and 2024), led the U23 team to the AFF Cup 2019, and especially the historic achievement with the U22 team to win the SEA Games 2023 gold medal, ending a 32-year drought.

On the contrary, over the past 12 years, no foreign coach has brought Indonesia a title at any team level. Although the country’s football team has continuously invited strategists from Europe and South America, achievements have quietly passed by.

The 0-1 loss to U23 Vietnam in the final of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship once again confirmed that "curse". Coach Gerald Vanenburg - a famous former Dutch player - could not help Indonesia break the curse, while U23 Vietnam extended its championship streak to 3. Once again, Indonesia needs to reflect on its faith in its own people.

The only goal helped U23 Vietnam win the Southeast Asian Championship. On the evening of July 29, the U23 Vietnam team defeated Indonesia 1-0 in the final of the 2025 Southeast Asian Championship held at Bung Karno Stadium.

Source: https://znews.vn/cai-dop-that-bai-cua-indonesia-post1572695.html