Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Bambang Pamungkas has played more times and scored more goals for Indonesia than any other player, boasting a hugely impressive strike rate of almost one every two games.
Many consider the striker to be the Garuda’s best-ever player and Pamungkas is viewed with such esteem in his homeland that he was chosen to be flag-bearer at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, making him a worthy subject in this week’s edition of ‘Asian Icons’.
Age: 37
Clubs: Persija Jakarta, EHC Norad, Selangor FA, Pelita Bandung Raya
International appearances (Goals): 85 (37)
It started with a Bang
Pamungkas announced his name to the Indonesian public in the 1999-2000 season when he finished as the league’s top scorer in his first campaign in senior football for Persija Jakarta.
The forward’s potential immediately alerted Dutch third division side EHC Norad and, at just 20 years old, he found himself on a plane to Europe. His form in front of goal continued but four months later Pamungkas was back at Persija, where he would help the Jakarta side become the 2001 champions of Indonesia.
So close but yet so far
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bambang2_jpg.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bambang_team_jpg.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bambang_three_jpeg.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bambang_celebrate_jpg.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bambang_2012_jpg.html
