Indonesia, the First Asian Country Entered FIFA World Cup

Indonesian Team (http://www.bbc.com) 

Once, Indonesia was recorded as the first and an Asian only presentative to enter  Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. It was happening at the third championship in 1938. Fifteen teams played in France from 4 to 19 of June on that time. 

The teams are following: Italy, Hungary, Brazil, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Cuba, France, Romania, Germany, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands and Dutch East Indi. Indonesia was called Dutch East Indi, since the country did not independence yet. 

Indonesian players are mixing of Dutch and local, they are:

Bing Mo Heng 

Herman Zommers

Franz Meeng

Isaac Pattiwael

Frans Pede Hukom

Hans Taihattu

Pan Hong Tjien

Jack Sammuels

Suwarte Soedermandji

Anwar Sutan

Nawir. 

Unfortunately, Indonesia was beaten by Hungary with score 0 - 6, big loss. The game was held on June 5, 1938 at Stade Velodrome, Reims, France. Hungary eventually to be finalist and lose from Italy by 2 – 4.  

Since then, Indonesia never participate in FIFA World Cup anymore due to underperformed in pre-qualification sessions. At the South East Asian level, Indonesia look very weak, could be beaten by any teams never heard before. Small countries such as Laos could win big against Indonesia. 

Some problems faced by Indonesian team include lack of funding, bad regular competition from low to top level and decreasing of fields to play football for children in many cities, especially in the cities and rural areas of Java island. The island is used to be sources of qualified players. 

No sight will Indonesia participate in FIFA World Cup again. No body knows.