The Dutch East Indies football team, now known as Indonesia, has an interesting and colorful history. It was one of the first football teams from Asia to participate in the FIFA World Cup. In this article, we will discuss a brief history of the Dutch East Indies football team and how the players made up the team.
A Brief History of the Dutch East Indies Football Team
The Dutch East Indies football team was formed in the early 20th century, when football was starting to gain popularity in the region. In 1938, the team made history by becoming the first Asian team to participate in the FIFA World Cup. The 1938 World Cup was held in France, and the Dutch East Indies were invited to participate after Japan withdrew from qualifying.
Although their journey at the 1938 World Cup was short-lived, with a 6-0 defeat to Hungary in the first round, their participation remains a significant milestone in the history of Asian football. The team showed that Asian nations also had the potential to compete on the international stage.
Dutch East Indies Football Team Lineup
The Dutch East Indies football team line-up for the 1938 World Cup consisted of talented players who mostly came from local clubs in the Dutch East Indies. Here are some of the key players who filled the team line-up:
1. Mo Heng Tan (Goalkeeper) : Mo Heng Tan was the main goalkeeper for the Dutch East Indies team. He was known for his quick reflexes and ability to block shots from opponents.
2. Achmad Nawir (Team Captain and Midfielder) : Achmad Nawir is the team captain and midfielder who has a good vision of the game. He is a leader on the field and has an important role in organizing the team's attacks.
3. Anwar Sutan (Defender) : Anwar Sutan is a tough defender who is known for his ability to stop opponent attacks. He has a strong physique and good defensive skills.
4. Isaak Pattiwael (Striker) : Isaak Pattiwael is a talented striker who has speed and sharpness in scoring goals. He is one of the key players in the team's attack.
5. Frans Alfred Meeng (Midfielder) : Frans Alfred Meeng is a midfielder who has the ability to control the ball and control the game. He has an important role in maintaining the balance of the team.
6. Hans Taihuttu (Defender) : Hans Taihuttu is a defender who has good defensive skills and often helps in counterattacks. He is a versatile player in the back line.
7. Sutan Anwar (Forward) : Sutan Anwar is a forward who has the ability to score goals from various positions. He is one of the players who is relied on to score goals.
8. Moestaram (Midfielder) : Moestaram is a midfielder who has the ability to control the game and provide accurate passes to the attackers. He is a creative player in the midfield.
9. Henk Zomers (Defender) : Henk Zomers is a defender who has good defensive abilities and often helps in counter-attacks. He is a versatile player in the back line.
10. Soedarmadji (Forward) : Soedarmadji is a forward who has the ability to score goals from various positions. He is one of the players who is relied on to score goals.
11. Sastromoeljono (Midfielder) : Sastromoeljono is a midfielder who has the ability to control the game and provide accurate passes to the attackers. He is a creative player in the midfield.
Legacy and Influence
Although the Dutch East Indies football team failed to win the 1938 World Cup, their participation remains an important legacy in the history of Indonesian football. This team paved the way for the development of football in Indonesia and inspired the next generation of football players.
After Indonesia's independence in 1945, the Dutch East Indies football team was transformed into the Indonesian national team. Since then, Indonesia has continued to participate in various international competitions and has recorded achievements at regional and international levels.
Conclusion
The Dutch East Indies football team is an important part of Indonesian football history. With their participation in the 1938 World Cup, they showed that Asian countries also have the potential to compete on the international stage. The team's line-up consisted of talented players who made great contributions in their journey. The legacy of the Dutch East Indies football team continues to live on in the development of Indonesian football to this day.
