REPUBLIC.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir said that PSSI is not as quick as targeting the Indonesian national team to qualify for the World Cup and Olympic Games. More than that, he wants the Indonesian national team to establish a tradition of always qualifying for the World Cup and Olympic Games.

“Actually the most important thing is not just to target the World Cup and the Olympics. But the question is, can we survive to qualify for the Olympics and the World Cup,” Erick said in a video on his Instagram account on Monday (30/12/2024).

Erick admitted the target was not easy. However he believes it can be achieved with a strong foundation in PSSI management and continuing to push football at grassroots level. This is to make the future of Indonesian football better.

“God willing, this step is to be able to see Garuda flying high up to the world stage, namely the World Cup and the Olympics,” he said.

Erick also explained that PSSI will not stop learning to improve the quality of the giants of Asia and Europe. “Including with the JFA (Japanese Football Federation), DFB (German Football Federation), KNVB (Dutch Football Federation),” Erick continued.

The man, who is also the Minister of SOE, revealed that PSSI plans to establish cooperation with the South Korean Football Federation. “Our neighbours like (South) Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia have been consistent [in qualifying for the World Cup]. That's why we're also learning from Korea so that it can be applied to Indonesia,” Erick said.

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