Ramang
Encyclopedia
Ramang was an Indonesia
n footballer. He is widely considered by Indonesian football experts and former players as one of the greatest players in the history of Indonesian football. He is particularly known for his bicycle kicks and ability to score goals from right corner kick
s. He was also referred to as Rusli Ramang in official FIFA
documents.
. His father, Nyo'lo, was an aide of the King of Gowa
, Djondjong Karenta Lemamparang, and was known for his ability in sepak takraw
. Ramang spent his childhood playing sepak takraw using balls made out of rattan, cloth, and sometimes orange fruits
. This is believed to be the reason why Ramang frequently score goals using bicycle kicks.
) just before Indonesia's independence. They stayed at a friend's house, and Ramang started his life there as a becak driver, later becoming a truck driver assistant. During this time, his wife gave birth to their second child.
In 1947, Ramang was contracted by PSM Makassar
, after seeing his performance in a competition held by PSM. His team, Persis (Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Sulawesi), won 9–0 in one of the matches, and only two names are on the scoreboard, one of them being Ramang, scoring 7 goals. He only spent a year in PSM, later worked in a Public Works Department, with a salary of 3500 rupiahs (equal to 4 US cents).
. This led to his call-up to the Indonesia national football team
. During the All-Indonesia tour of the Far East in 1953, Indonesia played against the Philippines
in their country, All-Hong Kong, Hong Kong Selection, Combined Chinese and South Korea in Hong Kong
, and the Thai Royal Air Force in Bangkok
, Thailand
. Indonesia only lost once to South Korea and winning all the other games. They only conceded 7 goals and scored 25 goals, of which 19 of them are scored by Ramang.
Ramang was also called up by coach Antun Pogačnik
to be the part of the 1956 Summer Olympics
team in Melbourne
. Indonesia automatically qualified to the quarterfinals after South Vietnam
withdrew. They successfully held the Soviet Union 0–0, who at the time was considered to be one the strongest team in the world. In the replay match Indonesia lost 0–4 to USSR, but the first game was considered as one of the famous matches in the Indonesian football history.
Ramang, who wore shirt number 9 in the tournament stated in an interview with Tempo
about the match: "Actually I was about to score a goal that time. But my shirt was being pulled from behind." It was the first time, also the only one so far for the Indonesian football team to participate in the Summer Olympics.
One of Ramang's famous goals was against China PR in the 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification
, where Indonesia won 2–0, and one of the goals was done by bicycle kick.
Ramang gained nationwide popularity during his international career, including in the late 50s where many Indonesian mothers named their babies "Ramang."
*This is an incomplete list
, but finally decided to retire from football in 1968, at the age of 44. He then decided to become a coach for PSM Makassar, then other football clubs, PSBI Blitar
and Persipal Palu
, and later returned to coach PSM Makassar.
One night in 1981, Ramang returned home with wet clothes after coaching PSM Makassar players under the rain. Since then he became sick and was diagnosed with pneumonia
. Ramang stayed at home for six years because he had no money to pay for hospital care. Ramang died in Ujungpandang, on September 26, 1987, at the age of 63, and was survived by his 4 children and 10 grandchildren.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n footballer. He is widely considered by Indonesian football experts and former players as one of the greatest players in the history of Indonesian football. He is particularly known for his bicycle kicks and ability to score goals from right corner kick
Corner kick
A corner kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. It was first devised in Sheffield under the Sheffield Rules 1867...
s. He was also referred to as Rusli Ramang in official FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
documents.
Early life
Ramang was born in 1928 in Barru, South SulawesiSouth Sulawesi
South Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia, located on the western southern peninsula of Sulawesi Island. The province is bordered by Central Sulawesi province to the north, South East Sulawesi province to the east and West Sulawesi province to the west...
. His father, Nyo'lo, was an aide of the King of Gowa
Gowa
Gowa is a region in the province of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is a "level 2 district," with an area of 1,883 km² and a population of approximately 500,000 people...
, Djondjong Karenta Lemamparang, and was known for his ability in sepak takraw
Sepak takraw
Sepak takraw , or kick volleyball, is a sport native to the Malay-Thai Peninsula...
. Ramang spent his childhood playing sepak takraw using balls made out of rattan, cloth, and sometimes orange fruits
Orange (fruit)
An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus Citrus × sinensis and its fruit. It is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world....
. This is believed to be the reason why Ramang frequently score goals using bicycle kicks.
Club career and other jobs
Ramang started his career as a football player in 1939 by joining a football club in Barru. He played until 1943, when he decided to end his bachelorhood. Together with his wife, they opened a small coffee shop for a living. After the death of their newborn baby, they decided to leave for Ujungpandang (now MakassarMakassar
Makassar, is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang, after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably...
) just before Indonesia's independence. They stayed at a friend's house, and Ramang started his life there as a becak driver, later becoming a truck driver assistant. During this time, his wife gave birth to their second child.
In 1947, Ramang was contracted by PSM Makassar
PSM Makassar
PSM, an acronym for Persatuan Sepakbola Makassar, is a football club that plays in the Liga Primer Indonesia. It was once considered as one of Indonesia's strongest football clubs, having won a title in 2000 and finishing runner-up three out of the past four seasons after that...
, after seeing his performance in a competition held by PSM. His team, Persis (Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Sulawesi), won 9–0 in one of the matches, and only two names are on the scoreboard, one of them being Ramang, scoring 7 goals. He only spent a year in PSM, later worked in a Public Works Department, with a salary of 3500 rupiahs (equal to 4 US cents).
International career
In 1952, Ramang replaced Sunardi, Suardi Arland's brother – both of them football players – to join a training camp in DjakartaJakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
. This led to his call-up to the Indonesia national football team
Indonesia national football team
The Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
. During the All-Indonesia tour of the Far East in 1953, Indonesia played against the Philippines
Philippines national football team
The Philippines national football team is the national football team of the Philippines and represents the country in international football. The team is controlled by the Philippine Football Federation , the governing body of football in the Philippines....
in their country, All-Hong Kong, Hong Kong Selection, Combined Chinese and South Korea in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, and the Thai Royal Air Force in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Indonesia only lost once to South Korea and winning all the other games. They only conceded 7 goals and scored 25 goals, of which 19 of them are scored by Ramang.
Ramang was also called up by coach Antun Pogačnik
Antun Pogacnik
Antun "Toni" Pogačnik was a Croatian footballer who played for both Yugoslavia and Croatia.Pogačnik led arguably the most successful Indonesian national team. Under him, Indonesia held the Soviet Union to a 0-0 draw in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics quarter final game before losing 0-4 in the replay...
to be the part of the 1956 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Olympic Games football tournament with just 11 competing nations suffered from cancellations. It was an undistinguished tournament that featured mis-matches and walkovers.-Background:...
team in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. Indonesia automatically qualified to the quarterfinals after South Vietnam
South Vietnam national football team
The South Vietnam national football team was the national team of South Vietnam controlled by Vietnam Football Association between 1949 and 1975. It took part in the first two Asian Cups finals , finishing fourth both times...
withdrew. They successfully held the Soviet Union 0–0, who at the time was considered to be one the strongest team in the world. In the replay match Indonesia lost 0–4 to USSR, but the first game was considered as one of the famous matches in the Indonesian football history.
Ramang, who wore shirt number 9 in the tournament stated in an interview with Tempo
Tempo magazine (Indonesia)
Tempo is an Indonesian weekly magazine that covers news and politics. It was founded by Goenawan Mohamad and Yusril Djalinus and the first edition was published in March 1971.-New Order era:...
about the match: "Actually I was about to score a goal that time. But my shirt was being pulled from behind." It was the first time, also the only one so far for the Indonesian football team to participate in the Summer Olympics.
One of Ramang's famous goals was against China PR in the 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification
1958 FIFA World Cup qualification
-UEFA Group 2:--------------------France qualified.-UEFA Group 3:--------------------Hungary qualified.-UEFA Group 4:--------------------Czechoslovakia qualified...
, where Indonesia won 2–0, and one of the goals was done by bicycle kick.
Ramang gained nationwide popularity during his international career, including in the late 50s where many Indonesian mothers named their babies "Ramang."
*This is an incomplete list
Later life and death
Ramang was suspended from football in 1960 after he was accused of accepting bribes, which he denied until his death. In 1962 he was called up again by PSM MakassarPSM Makassar
PSM, an acronym for Persatuan Sepakbola Makassar, is a football club that plays in the Liga Primer Indonesia. It was once considered as one of Indonesia's strongest football clubs, having won a title in 2000 and finishing runner-up three out of the past four seasons after that...
, but finally decided to retire from football in 1968, at the age of 44. He then decided to become a coach for PSM Makassar, then other football clubs, PSBI Blitar
PSBI Blitar
PSBI stands for Persatuan Sepak bola Bangsa Indonesia . PSBI Blitar is an Indonesian football club based in Blitar Regency, East Java. Club played in Indonesian Premier Division....
and Persipal Palu
Persipal Palu
Persipal or Persipal Palu or Persatuan Sepak Bola Indonesia Palu is an Indonesian football club based in Palu, Central Sulawesi. Club played in Liga Indonesia First Division....
, and later returned to coach PSM Makassar.
One night in 1981, Ramang returned home with wet clothes after coaching PSM Makassar players under the rain. Since then he became sick and was diagnosed with pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. Ramang stayed at home for six years because he had no money to pay for hospital care. Ramang died in Ujungpandang, on September 26, 1987, at the age of 63, and was survived by his 4 children and 10 grandchildren.