When the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup Becomes a Double-Edged Sword for Indonesian Abroad Players

The ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, previously known as the AFF Cup, is set to take place this month. The Indonesian National Team has announced the squad that will compete in the 2024 edition. The head coach of the Indonesian National Team, Shin Tae Yong, decided to bring the U-22 squad to this tournament as part of the projection for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, team regeneration, and preserving the senior team’s fitness ahead of the third round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in March 2025. However, the decision to still call up several U-22 players who already have careers abroad raises significant questions. Although three abroad players have not received club clearance, some others have been allowed to play, which I find quite unfortunate.

This young squad’s call-up is indeed oriented toward regeneration and the projection for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. However, the question arises: does regeneration require sacrificing players who have already proven their capabilities in international leagues? This call-up seems to sideline the individual needs of players, who could further develop through consistent playing minutes at their clubs. Moreover, the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup is not an official tournament on FIFA’s calendar. This means that each player’s call-up must be approved by their respective clubs, and personally, I hope that abroad players are not granted permission to participate in this tournament.

December is known as a busy period in club football calendars, especially in European leagues. Calling up young players such as Marselino Ferdinan, who is currently striving to break into the first team at his club, will only reduce their chances of securing the much-needed playing time. Recently, Marselino managed to make the match squad (DSP) for Oxford United against Middlesbrough. His absence from the club could impact his position in the squad upon his return from the National Team, which would certainly harm his long-term career prospects.

If the abroad players are granted permission to join, the squad being brought seems rather balanced. On one hand, they are not entirely ready to compete against senior teams from other countries, making their chances of winning the championship very slim. On the other hand, calling up players from abroad who have already proven their quality seems like a waste of their time. Fortunately, two abroad players, Ivar Jenner and Justin Hubner, have been confirmed to not receive permission from their clubs, while Rafael Struick will be allowed only if the Indonesian National Team advances to the semifinals. Meanwhile, other players such as Pratama Arhan, Asnawi Mangkualam, and Marselino Ferdinan are likely to be granted permission to play.

Lessons from Previous Players

The cases of Egy Maulana Vikri and Witan Sulaeman serve as clear examples of how non-FIFA tournaments, such as the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, can negatively affect the careers of young players abroad. Egy, who once played in Europe, recorded only 36 league appearances over four seasons (2018–2022) with three different clubs — far below expectations for a talented player considered a future star of Indonesian football. Key factors such as adaptation, tactical suitability, and coaching preferences do play a role. However, Egy’s frequent absences from his clubs to participate in non-FIFA tournaments were among the reasons he lost the momentum to grow.

Witan Sulaeman faced a similar struggle to compete in Europe. Pratama Arhan, who pursued a career in Asia with Tokyo Verdy, encountered comparable challenges. In fact, a Suwon FC staff member once revealed that while Arhan trained well, his frequent call-ups to the Indonesian National Team hindered his adaptation process in South Korea. According to the staff member, “Every time he starts to adapt, he gets called back to the Indonesian National Team. In terms of ability, he is still lacking to play in K League 1.”

This experience provides a crucial lesson, the management of young players pursuing careers abroad must consider the impact of non-FIFA competitions on their opportunities to develop at their clubs.

Focus on Local Players

So, how should we address this issue? In my opinion, the first step is to clearly define the purpose of the Indonesian National Team in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. If the goal is to win the championship, bringing the senior squad is the best option. However, if the tournament is utilized to build the foundation of a young team, then calling up only U-22 local players would suffice. U-22 players who already play abroad and regularly represent the senior National Team should no longer be called up, except when needed to achieve the goal of winning.

The most rational solution is to focus on local players for tournaments like the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. This approach provides an opportunity for local players to showcase their quality while serving as an evaluation of domestic football development. By utilizing local players for tournaments such as the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, especially without the aim of winning, we can assess the quality of development and local competitions in Indonesia compared to neighboring countries. Such evaluations are essential for identifying areas that need improvement to create a more stable and sustainable national football system.

Ultimately, my hope is that the Indonesian National Team can achieve the best results in this tournament. Hopefully, the called-up players can perform to the best of their abilities and return to their respective clubs in excellent condition.

Go Garuda!