Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

I remember watching Indonesia's national team play a few years ago and thinking they had potential, but what we're witnessing now is something truly remarkable. Having followed Asian football development for over a decade, I've rarely seen a nation transform its football fortunes so dramatically in such a short time. The recent criticism directed at players that Del Rosario mentioned in his Instagram post - where he defended the squad against unfair criticism despite their tremendous sacrifices during preparation - actually highlights something important about Indonesia's journey. It shows how expectations have skyrocketed, and that itself is a testament to their progress. Let me share what I believe are the five key factors driving this extraordinary development.

First and foremost, the strategic investment in youth development systems has been nothing short of revolutionary. When I visited Jakarta in 2018, I saw the early stages of what would become a comprehensive academy system. The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) didn't just copy European models - they adapted them to local conditions. They established 27 regional training centers across the archipelago, identifying and nurturing talent from previously untapped regions. The numbers speak for themselves: registered youth players increased from approximately 45,000 in 2015 to over 185,000 by 2023. That's more than a 300% growth in less than a decade! What impressed me most wasn't just the quantity but the quality of coaching at these centers. They brought in technical directors from Spain and the Netherlands while simultaneously developing local coaching talent through intensive certification programs. I've spoken with several young players who came through this system, and their technical proficiency compared to previous generations is noticeably superior.

The second factor that really stands out is the professionalization of the domestic league. Liga 1 Indonesia has transformed from what many considered an amateurish competition into a genuinely professional setup. Club licensing requirements forced teams to improve their infrastructure, financial management, and youth development systems. Stadium attendance figures tell part of the story - average crowds jumped from around 8,500 in 2015 to approximately 22,000 in the most recent season. But what the numbers don't show is the improvement in matchday experience, broadcasting quality, and overall commercial appeal. I attended a Persib Bandung match last year, and the atmosphere rivaled what you'd find in many European second divisions. The league's television rights deal increased from about $12 million annually to nearly $45 million, providing clubs with financial stability to plan long-term. This professional foundation has created a virtuous cycle where better facilities and coaching produce better players, who in turn make the league more competitive and attractive.

Then there's the government's role, which has been more supportive than many people realize. Infrastructure development has been crucial - the government helped build or renovate 15 major stadiums since 2016, with plans for 12 more by 2025. But beyond the bricks and mortar, there's been a strategic alignment between sports policy and education. The "Football in School" program introduced in 2017 now reaches over 3,000 schools nationwide. I witnessed one of these programs in Surabaya, where kids as young as six receive professional coaching during physical education classes. The government also provided tax incentives for corporate investment in football, leading to sponsorships increasing from about $28 million annually in 2015 to over $85 million last year. This kind of public-private partnership creates sustainable funding that doesn't rely solely on wealthy benefactors.

The fourth factor involves something I've always believed separates good football nations from great ones: tactical identity. Indonesia didn't just hire foreign coaches randomly - they systematically brought in technical experts who could implement a cohesive philosophy throughout the national team setup. The current technical director, a Spanish appointment, has installed a possession-based approach that filters down from the senior team through all youth levels. What's smart about their approach is how they've blended this European tactical discipline with the natural attributes of Indonesian players - their agility, creativity, and what I'd describe as footballing joy. The statistics show the impact: the national team's average possession increased from 42% in 2018 to 58% in their most recent matches. More importantly, they're using possession purposefully rather than passively. This tactical clarity means players moving between age groups don't need to relearn systems, accelerating their development curve significantly.

Finally, and this brings us back to Del Rosario's point about unfair criticism, there's been a crucial shift in mentality and expectations. Indonesian football used to celebrate moral victories - playing well in defeat against stronger nations. Now there's genuine belief they can win these matches. This psychological transformation might be the hardest to engineer, but it's perhaps the most significant. The players Del Rosario defended have developed what I call "competitive arrogance" - not in a negative sense, but as a genuine belief in their abilities against any opponent. You can see it in how they carry themselves on the pitch, how they react to setbacks during matches, and how they prepare. The criticism that prompted Del Rosario's defense actually demonstrates how far they've come - when expectations rise, so does scrutiny. I've noticed their players now expect to dominate possession against Southeast Asian rivals rather than hoping to counter-attack, and this shift comes from countless hours of preparation and sacrifice that often go unseen by critics.

What's fascinating about Indonesia's rise is how these five factors reinforce each other. Better youth development feeds the professional league, government support enables infrastructure growth, tactical identity provides strategic direction, and the evolving mentality allows players to maximize their potential. The journey hasn't been perfect - there have been administrative missteps and occasional setbacks - but the overall trajectory has been remarkably positive. As someone who's studied football development across Asia, I'd argue Indonesia's model could become a blueprint for other emerging football nations. Their success demonstrates that with strategic planning, sustained investment, and cultural adaptation, rapid football development is achievable. The criticism that Del Rosario addressed actually validates their progress - nobody criticizes teams nobody cares about. Indonesia has transformed from football irrelevance into a nation with genuine ambitions, and frankly, I find their journey one of the most compelling stories in world football today.