REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia was received special attention from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The success of the national team U-19 Indonesia in the AFF Cup some time ago was a sign of Indonesian football players' progress in Asia.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa claimed that he was quite happy with the management of Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) in which began to stabilize.

But, it seen, the country still needs time to fix all the sectors to the maximum level. All efforts should be made to get back to the real football track.

"I hope PSSI has a clear road map to bring Indonesia's football to its best direction and we will continue to support all of these plans," Al Khalifa said during his state visit to Indonesia, Saturday (16/11).

He said it is important for the AFC to bring back Indonesian football to a higher level.

Looking at the achievements scored by the U-19 national team, Al Khalifa said Indonesia has a bright future at international level.

Obviously, this team should be well promoted in order to compete with other countries in Asia or even in world level. "I believe Indonesia can compete with other countries in the international level," Al Khalifa added.

According to him, Asian football has tremendous potential. So that it is possible to have popularity in the world.

In addition, it was important to explore the potential to develop football environment at the grassroots level.

Al Khalifa expressed his unwillingness to see Asian football as a tool of political propaganda. Since this is clearly written in the statute of the World Football Federation (FIFA).

"We wanted to keep a good prestige of football," he said.

Ed: Mansyur Faqih