Kluivert’s World Cup dream, Thailand’s rebuilding and Malaysia’s focus on the Asian Cup
SHAH ALAM - As Southeast Asian countries take bold steps to reshape their football futures, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia are undergoing significant transitions aimed at enhancing their presence on the international stage.
With fresh coaching appointments, generational overhauls and ambitious goals, the region is determined to leave its mark on world football.
Indonesia’s Kluivert Era: Aiming for a Second World Cup Appearance
Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert has taken the helm of Indonesia’s national team, setting his sights on leading the nation to its first World Cup appearance since 1938.
Officially unveiled as head coach on Jan 13, Kluivert is determined to deliver results during the decisive phase of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
“Everybody knows we will be playing four games, four finals and we want to achieve what we want to achieve. The most important thing is to have results and impact,” Kluivert said during his Jakarta press conference.
Kluivert inherits a team largely composed of Dutch-born, naturalised players, an advantage that factored into his selection.
Currently ranked 127th in FIFA standings, Indonesia is third in their World Cup qualifying group. Their next match, a crucial game against Australia in March, could be pivotal for their campaign.
Thailand’s Generational Transition After Asean Cup Defeat
Thailand’s national team faces a rebuilding phase after losing the 2024 ASEAN Championship to Vietnam with a 3-5 aggregate defeat. Coach Masatada Ishii revealed that the team’s dual objectives were winning the championship and preparing a new generation of players.
“Obviously, we did not achieve the first goal, which was to win the tournament, but we are committed to transitioning to a new generation of players,” Masatada said.
Despite falling short, Masatada emphasised the potential of integrating players from Thailand’s Under-22 and Under-23 squads to bolster the senior team. Looking ahead, he plans to refine the team ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s head coach Kim Sang Sik celebrated the victory, describing it as a milestone for his team.
“I think this is just the beginning for me as the coach of the Vietnam national football team. This year, we have the Asian Cup and the SEA Games to aim for,” he said.
Malaysia’s New Era with Peter Cklamovski
In Malaysia, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has appointed Australian Peter Cklamovski as head coach, effective Jan 1.
His primary mission is to guide Harimau Malaya to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia and improve the nation’s FIFA ranking, currently at 132nd, with a goal of breaking into the top 100.
“Cklamovski’s immediate task will be to prepare the team for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers,” FAM said.
Cklamovski’s coaching journey includes stints in Japan with Shimizu S-Pulse and Tokyo FC, as well as his earlier collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Ange Postecoglou, during their time with the Australian national team and in the A-League.
His appointment follows the resignation of South Korean Kim Pan Gon, who left in July 2024 for personal reasons. The coaching transition reflects Malaysia’s intent to strengthen its footballing foundations and achieve consistent international performances.
From Indonesia’s ambitious World Cup aspirations under Kluivert to Thailand’s generational transition and Malaysia’s strategic rebuild with Cklamovski, Southeast Asia is signaling its readiness to ascend in international football.
While challenges remain, these moves reflect the region’s growing commitment to making football a cornerstone of national pride and global recognition.
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