bambang pamungkas

Bambang Pamungkas
Personal information
Full name
Bambang Pamungkas
Date of birth
June 10, 1980 (1980-06-10) (age 28)
Place of birth
Salatiga, Indonesia
Height
171 cm
Playing position
Striker
Club information
Current club
Persija Jakarta
Senior career1
Years
Club
App (Gls)*
1999-20002000-20012001-20042005-20062007 - ….
Persija JakartaEHC NoradPersija JakartaSelangor FAPersija Jakarta
30 (24)?? (??)96 (52)42 (39)?? (13)
National team
1999 - ….
Indonesia
64 (34)



Bambang Pamungkas is an Indonesian footballer. His natural position is central forward. Bambang made his name in South East Asian football when he scored the lone goal for Indonesia at the 2002 Tiger Cup against Malaysia. His header was dubbed 'The Killer Header' by Malaysian newspapers.
Club career
Bambang spent most of his playing career in Indonesia. According to Bambang's agent in Europe, Anthony van Dalen, there were several clubs in Europe that would hand him trials, such as Roda JC Kerkrade from Holland, and FC Koeln and Borussia Mönchengladbach from Germany. However, Bambang did not let dream to play for the European elites to take over his career, and decided to join EHC Norad, a Third Division club in Holland. First team football was the main factor behind his decision. Playing in the lower league would help him adapt to European football.
After a year of playing in Holland, he decided not to extend his contract and returned to Indonesia. Soon afterwards, he received an offer to play in the Malaysian Football League with Selangor FC. He completed the transfer to Malaysia along with national team-mate Elie Aiboy. His first season in Malaysia proved to be a sensational success. He won the treble (Malaysian Premier League,Malaysian FA Cup, Malaysian Cup) and became the top-scorer with 24 goal in 24 matches in Malaysian Premier League with total of 39 goals in 3 competitions (Malaysian Premier League, Malaysian FA Cup, Malaysian Cup). The reason behind this sensational achievement was Selangor FC's deadly striking combination of Bambang, Argentinian Brian Fuentes and Malaysian star Khalid Jamlus, supported by wing attacker Elie Aiboy. Highlights of Bambang success story was played repeatedly in the South East Asian edition of ESPN and Star Sports. Shortly after, two of his national team-mates, midfielder and captain Ponaryo Astaman and striker Ilham Jayakesuma earned transfers to Malaysian clubs.
Bambang is well-known for his aerial prowess, strong determination and natural goal scoring instinct. Despite only being 171 cm (5ft 7in), he is able to outjump the opposing defenders and his heading ability is among his top attributes. He developed his aerial abilities back in the youth academy in Salatiga, where the pitch condition was very poor to play short passes.
He idolizes his former striking partner in the national team, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, who also had a brief spell in Europe. Nevertheless, the two did not enjoy much time playing alongside each other for the national team. Before being promoted to Indonesian senior national team, he played for the Central Java youth team. He was chosen Most Valuable Player in the 1996 Haornas Cup, the most prestigious tournament for young footballers in the country. He, with the Indonesian youth team, won the top-scorer in Asian Cup U-19 Group V, collecting 7 goals in the process. With his achievement in the youth level, the transition to the senior national team was a smooth one.
Honours
Club and national team
Liga Indonesia: 2000
Malaysia Premier League: 2005
Malaysia FA Cup: 2005
Malaysia Cup: 2005
Individual honors
Liga Indonesia Top Scorer: 2000
Liga Indonesia Player of the Year: 2001
Malaysia Cup Player of the Year: 2005
Copa Djie Sam Soe Player of the Year: 2007
Copa Djie Sam Soe Striker of the Year: 2007
Copa Djie Sam Soe Best Duet: 2007
Bambang made his 33rd goal, same collection for national team with his idol, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto. Both of them recorded as Indonesian national team top scorers. Bambang made his 33rd goal in AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 first round against Cambodia. He made the fourth goal for Indonesia's winning 4-0. It was his second goal of the tournament. The first goal came when played against Myanmar (3-0).