Leeuwarden: On this day 79 nine years ago, the first Asian nation to compete at a FIFA World Cup took to the pitch in the French town of Reims, where they would lose 6-0 to eventual runners-up Hungary and exit at the first hurdle.
It may come as a surprise that the team in question on June 5, 1938 was not one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses but in fact the Dutch East Indies, modern-day Indonesia, who have failed to come close to reaching the global showpiece ever since.
But, following an impressive performance at the 2016 AFF Championship, momentum may just be building, as the-AFC.com found out when speaking to current star and Netherlands-based midfielder Stefano Lilipaly on an emphasis on youth and future aspirations, as well as the feel-good factor brought about by the positive Indonesian people.
Q: Firstly, how has life in the Netherlands been since you were last back in Indonesia?
The season was really good because we [second-tier side SC Cambuur] finished second in the table, although we didn’t make it to the top league because we lost in the semi-finals of the play-offs. We reached the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup also but lost on penalties to AZ Alkmaar. But we beat Ajax and Utrecht (Lilipaly's former club) so we did very well. I think I had nine assists and eight goals this season.
Q: Indonesia got to the final of the 2016 AFF Championship, what are your memories of that competition?
We put Indonesia back on the map. We started all over with a new team and everyone was thinking we were the underdogs and would not even make it past the group stage. In the end we got to the final, unfortunately we did not win it, but I think we surprised everyone.
Q: How about the winner you scored against Singapore in the final group stage game?
For me that was a very special moment because it was my first goal for the national team and it was one of the most important goals in the tournament. If I didn’t score that we wouldn’t have made the semi-finals.
Q: How would you assess Indonesia’s level compared to the other Southeast Asian teams?
I think in the tournament we were very good in a few games but in others we saw we had to grow. If you play against teams like Thailand, you can see they’re a few steps ahead of us. But a lot of that is to do with the fact they have a really well-organised league. If we had that you would see the performances improve.
Q: Was the competition a big step in the team’s development?
Yes, I think so. After the tournament we saw that they wanted to do good things with the Indonesian league, so I think it was good for Indonesian football. You see guys like Essien join the league, so it’s the start of something. I don’t know if it’s the best option to improve the league, but it’s something and I think with more foreigners the league will do better. Maybe it will convince the clubs to improve the facilities and become more professional.
Q: Do you see yourself back playing in Indonesia one day?
Yes, of course. First I want to focus on Europe and get to the highest level possible. But after three years I may go back to Asia because in the end I want to finish in Indonesia. The support and the atmosphere there is amazing.
Q: What’s the next target for the national team?
There are two. The U-22 side have two big tournaments, one is the [2017] Southeast Asian Games and the other is the [2018] Asian Games. For all the senior team games we play with U-22 players and only select five senior players. Now I’m one of the five and for the Asian Games, which will be in Jakarta, maybe I’ll again be one of the five. I still haven’t played for the national team in Jakarta and I cannot imagine how crazy it would be.
Q: Bambang Pamungkas is one of Indonesian football’s biggest legends. How close are you with him?
We played together at Persija Jakarta and he’s the legend. For every Indonesian player he’s an idol; he played for the national team for a long time and scored a lot of important goals. He’s a very good guy and always helps the youngsters, so he’s very important for Indonesia. He’s also working in the media, doing commercials … he does everything!
Q: Alfred Riedl stepped down as coach of the national team and Luis Milla has come in. What are your thoughts on the new appointment?
I was surprised Riedl retired but he had been a coach for a long time with a lot of teams and countries so everybody has a time to go. It’s time for a new coach and Luis Milla is there; he is a big name, has played for big teams and coached Spain’s U-19 and U-20 teams. I’ve asked lots of people in Indonesia about him and everyone is positive.
Q: What do you find special about playing for Indonesia?
The support. That atmosphere is something you only experience in Indonesia. You don’t have that kind of support in Europe, when Indonesia plays the whole country is proud.
Q: Who are the funny guys in the squad?
From the last tournament, the AFF Championship, it was Ferdinand Sinaga, Rizky Pora and Zulham Zamrun (laughs). They’re all just crazy, they always make you laugh, especially Ferdinand, he can make a joke of everything and everyone. He’s very funny.
Q: Away from football, what do you like about the country?
I like everything, especially the people. Even if they don’t have much they are always positive, never negative. It feels very good when you see that because in Europe a lot of people complain.
Q: What’s your favourite food when you join up with the national team?
I’ll keep it simple, Nasi Goreng is my favourite.
Q: Finally, your wife is about to give birth to your son. Will he be the next Stefano Lilipaly?
I hope he’s the next Stefano Lilipaly but I hope he’s better and does better than his father.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com