The Papua region has made history in sports because Black Steel Papua can represent Indonesia in the AFF Futsal Club 2023. This futsal club won the runner-up place in the last season’s Pro Futsal Leagues, so they are eligible to represent Indonesia in the upcoming AFF competition.
The Indonesian Futsal Federation (Federasi Futsal Indonesia/FFI) has confirmed the decision so that Black Steel will compete in Terminal 21 Hall Korat, Thailand. This is a great accomplishment because West Papua becomes the state’s priority for equitable development. Such an achievement is exceptional because it verifies that West Papua has qualified and talented human resources.
In the following passage, let us dig more into this giant futsal club and its remarkable track record.
About Black Steel FC Papua
This giant futsal club was established in 2010 but previously took the name of Black Steel FC Manokwari. The club’s current manager is Ika Puspita Sari, while Rakphol Sainetngam is entrusted to be its coach. This club has sponsored Umbro, Black Steel Castello, Agita Bandung, PT Nursyam, OPA Resto, and more.
This remarkable club plays in the Pro Futsal League and did an awesome job because they became the champions in its 2016 and 2020’s championships. They are also runner-ups in the 2019 and 2021 Pro Futsal League championships.
Representing Indonesia in the AFF championship is not their first because Black Steel FC Papua has previously done it in 2016 and 2019. The 2016 AFF championship brought no luck to this club because they had to acknowledge Myanmar’s superiority in the third-place battle.
However, the 2019 championship is their worst because they were at the bottom of Group A’s final standings. Thus, this year’s championship is special because it is the opportunity for Black Steel to do better for the best outcome.
About AFF
AFF Futsal Cup, formerly known as AFF Futsal Club Championship, is a prestigious annual futsal championship for Southeast Asian futsal clubs hosted by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). This event is famous to Asian futsal lovers because it is the second largest competition after the AFC Futsal Club Championship.
AFF was established in Jakarta on 31 January 1984 by its six founding members from Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. In 1986 other members, such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, entered the AFF. However, in 2004 East Timor also became a member, while Australia became the youngest member in 2013.
AFF has different championships depending on the club and national teams, such as follows:
The National Teams for both women and men:
| Women’s National Teams | Men National Teams |
| U-16 Women’s Championship | U-16 Women’s Championship |
| U-19 Women’s Championship | U-19 Women’s Championship |
| AFF Women’s Championship | U-23 Women’s Championship |
| SEA Games Women’s Football Tournament | SEA Games Men’s Football Tournament |
| SEA Games Women’s Futsal Tournament | AFF Women’s Championship |
| SEA Games Men’s Futsal Tournament | |
| Beach Soccer Championship | |
| Futsal Championship |
The Club Teams for both women and men:
| Women’s Club Teams | Men Club Teams |
| AFF Women’s Futsal Tournament | ASEAN Club Championship |
| AFF Futsal Cup | |
The 2023 AFF Futsal Cup
This year’s AFF competition will only be accommodating six participating clubs as follows:
- Black Steel FC Papua from Indonesia
- Hongyen Thakam from Thailand
- Thai Son Nam FC from Vietnam
- Pahang Rangers from Malaysia
- Football Victoria from Australia
- VUC FC from Myanmar
Thus, there will only be ten game matches for this year’s competition. There were 12 participants in the previous competition, so the total number of games was twelve. Hopefully, AFF 2023, which will be held on 1 – 7 May 2023 in Thailand, will grant us exciting matches so they are interesting to watch.
Conclusions
Black Steel Papua is a reputable giant futsal club in Manokwari, Papua, due to its track records and experiences in both national and international championships. This May 2023 is special because the club will represent Indonesia in the AFF Futsal Cup in Thailand.
Hopefully, Black Steel Papua has a bigger opportunity to make achievements in this event due to its best current strategy and players.
