Witan Sulaeman (born 8 October 2001) is an Indonesian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Liga 1 club Persija Jakarta and the Indonesia national team.

Witan Sulaeman
Witan playing for Indonesia in 2023
Personal information
Full name Witan Sulaeman[1]
Date of birth (2001-10-08) 8 October 2001 (age 23)[1]
Place of birth Palu, Indonesia
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Persija Jakarta
Number 78
Youth career
2013–2015 SSB Galara
2016–2019 SKO Ragunan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 PSIM Yogyakarta 7 (0)
2020–2021 Radnik Surdulica 5 (0)
2021–2022 Lechia Gdańsk 0 (0)
2022Senica (loan) 8 (2)
2022 Trenčín 10 (1)
2023– Persija Jakarta 38 (5)
2024Bhayangkara (loan) 10 (1)
International career
2017–2020 Indonesia U19 26 (8)
2019–2024 Indonesia U23 39 (10)
2021– Indonesia 49 (9)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Indonesia
AFF U-19 Youth Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Myanmar
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Indonesia Team
Southeast Asian Games
Silver medal – second place 2019 Philippines Team
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Vietnam Team
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cambodia Team
AFF U-22 Youth Championship
Winner 2019 Cambodia Team
AFF Championship
Runner-up 2020 Singapore Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 November 2024

A youth product of Ragunan Sports School, Witan started his professional career with PSIM Yogyakarta. He joined Serbian club Radnik Surdulica in July 2020, becoming the first Indonesian to play in a Serbian league.[3] In 2021 he moved to Polish side Lechia Gdansk before being loaned to Slovakian side Senica in 2022. He moved to Trenčín in the same year. The following year, Witan returned to Indonesia by joining Persija Jakarta.

Witan has represented Indonesia since U19 level. He has represented his side at two Southeast Asian Games and led his side to the final of the 2020 AFF Championship. Witan took part in Indonesia's qualification for the 2023 Asian Cup by scoring two goals.

Club career

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PSIM Yogyakarta

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On 17 August 2019, Witan signed his first professional contract at the age of 17 with Liga 2 side PSIM Yogyakarta.[4] He made his first-team debut for PSIM Yogyakarta when he was part of the starting lineup of a 2019 Liga 2 match against Persiba Balikpapan on 22 August 2019, in which PSIM won.[5]

Radnik Surdulica

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At the age of 18, Witan joined Serbian SuperLiga club Radnik Surdulica in February 2020 on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[6] However, the season was soon suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic for a period of 2 12 months, during which he returned to Indonesia.[7] He finally made his professional debut on 14 June 2020, coming on for Bogdan Stamenković during a 4–2 SuperLiga defeat to Radnički Niš.[8][9]

Lechia Gdańsk

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On 1 September 2021, Witan joined Polish club Lechia Gdańsk on a two-year contract. Witan joined shortly after his international teammate Egy Maulana departured to Senica in Slovakia.[10] Three days later, Witan made his Lechia Gdańsk debut in a friendly match against Jeziorak Iława as a substitute for Kacper Sezonienko in the 73rd minute.[11]

He made his league debut for Lechia Gdańsk. However, he did not strengthen the main team, but for the reserve team, Lechia Gdańsk II. when he was part of the starting lineup of a IV liga match against MKS Wladyslawowo on 11 September, in which Lechia won.[12]

On 26 July 2022, it is announced that Witan and Lechia Gdańsk both agreed to mutually terminate his contract.[13]

FK Senica (loan)

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On 21 January 2022, Witan joined Slovak Super Liga club Senica on loan until the end of the season.[14] On 12 February 2022, Witan made his league debut playing full 90-minutes against league giants Slovan Bratislava, as his team suffered 0-5 defeat.[15] Witan made his first goal for his club at Slovak Cup winning game against SV Sasona Arena.[citation needed] In the quarter final of Slovak Cup, against FK Pohronie, he gave one assist and one goal for the winning match.[16]

Trenčín

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On 9 August 2022, Slovak club AS Trenčín announced that they had signed Witan on a two-year contract.[17] On 13 August 2022, Witan made his debut, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Lucas Demitra in a goal-less league draw against Ružomberok.[18] On 24 August 2022, Witan scored his first and second goal for Trenčín during a record-setting 14–0 victory against Slovan Hlohovec in the Slovak Cup.[19]

Persija Jakarta

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On 31 January 2023, Witan joined Liga 1 side Persija on a three-and-a-half-year contract.[20] Witan made his league debut on 12 February in a 2–0 home win against Arema at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi.[21] On 5 April, he scored his first league goal in a 0–1 away win against Persebaya Surabaya.[22] He also continued his good form in April with give assists a opening goal by Michael Krmenčík, whilst also scored his second league goal for the club in a 5–0 win against PSS Sleman.[23] With this victory, Persija is assured to finish in runner-up in the final standings of the 2022–23 Liga 1.[24] He contributed in 10 league appearances with 2 goals and 1 assist for the rest of 2022–23 season.[25]

Bhayangkara (loan)

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On 14 November 2023, Witan joined Bhayangkara FC on a loan until the end of the season.[26]

International career

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At the age of 16, Witan made his international debut with Indonesia U19 in the 2017 Toulon Tournament on 31 May 2017 against Brazil U20 with a score of 1–0 defeat. Later that year he scored a brace in an 8–0 win over Brunei at the 2017 AFF U-18 Youth Championship.[27] He also scored in the third-place match against Myanmar.

At the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship held in Indonesia,[28] Witan scored two goals in a group stage win over Chinese Taipei before scoring the lone goal in a 1–0 victory over the United Arab Emirates to lead his team to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years.[29]

Witan was part of the Indonesia under-23 team that won silver in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.

He received a call to join the senior Indonesia national football team in May 2021. He earned his first senior cap in a 25 May 2021 friendly match in Dubai against Afghanistan.[30][31] On 11 October 2021, he made first international goal against Chinese Taipei in a 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round leg 2, in which Indonesia won 3–0.[32]

On 12 December 2021, Witan scored a goal in a 2020 AFF Championship game against Laos.[33] On 22 December 2021, Witan scored again against Singapore in the first leg of semi-final.

On 14 June 2022, Witan scored a brace against Nepal in a 7–0 win in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification.[34]

Witan was again called up for the Indonesia senior team for the 2022 AFF Championship. He scored a goal against Cambodia at the group stage on 23 December 2022.[35]

Personal life

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In the midst of busy following the training camp with the Indonesia national team, On 29 May 2022, at the age of 20, Witan married his girlfriend, Rismahani. Witan officially married Rismahani in a wedding ceremony held in Palu, Central Sulawesi.[36]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 22 November 2024[37]
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
PSIM Yogyakarta 2019 Liga 2 7 0 7 0
Radnik Surdulica 2019–20 Serbian SuperLiga 2 0 0 0 2 0
2020–21 Serbian SuperLiga 3 0 0 0 3 0
Total 5 0 0 0 5 0
Lechia Gdańsk 2021–22 Ekstraklasa 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lechia Gdańsk II 2021–22[38] IV liga 4 0 0 0 4 0
Senica (loan) 2021–22 Fortuna liga 8 2 4 2 12 4
Trenčín 2022–23 Fortuna liga 10 1 4 3 3[b] 1 17 5
Persija Jakarta 2022–23 Liga 1 10 2 0 0 0 0 10 2
2023–24 Liga 1 18 3 0 0 0 0 18 3
2024–25 Liga 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Bhayangkara (loan) 2023–24 Liga 1 10 1 0 0 0 0 10 1
Career total 82 9 8 5 0 0 3 1 93 15
  1. ^ Includes Slovak Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in Tipsport liga

International

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As of match played 15 November 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Indonesia 2021 15 4
2022 9 3
2023 11 2
2024 14 0
Total 49 9
As of match played 10 September 2024
Scores and results list Indonesia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Witan goal.
List of international goals scored by Witan Sulaeman
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 October 2021 Buriram Stadium, Buriram, Thailand 6   Chinese Taipei 3–0 3–0 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2 25 November 2021 Emirhan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey 8   Myanmar 3–0 4–1 Friendly
3 12 December 2021 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore 10   Laos 3–1 5–1 2020 AFF Championship
4 22 December 2021 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore 13   Singapore 1–0 1–1 2020 AFF Championship
5 14 June 2022 Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait 19     Nepal 2–0 7–0 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification
6 6–0
7 23 December 2022 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia 22   Cambodia 2–1 2–1 2022 AFF Championship
8 28 March 2023 Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, Indonesia 29   Burundi 1–0 2–2 Friendly
9 17 October 2023 Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 33   Brunei 4–0 6–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Indonesia U19

Indonesia U23

Indonesia

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b "AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 | Final Registrations of Players | Member Association: Indonesia" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Witan Sulaeman: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Mendadak Indonesia ala Klub Serbia yang Merekrut Witan Sulaeman".
  4. ^ "Alasan Witan Sulaiman Pilih Gabung Klub Liga 2". bolalob. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Jalani Debut Profesional bersama PSIM, Witan Sulaeman Sempat Nervous". suara.com (in Indonesian). 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. ^ Raihan, Faishal (12 February 2020). "Transfer Witan Sulaiman ke Klub Serbia Jadi Sorotan Media Eropa" (in Indonesian). Kompas. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  7. ^ Putra, Gerry (26 March 2020). "Pandemi Virus Corona, Witan Sulaiman Tinggalkan Serbia" (in Indonesian). bolalob.com. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  8. ^ Sadheli, Mochamad (14 June 2020). "Witan Sulaiman Debut Tim Inti, Main 35 Menit pada Laga Resmi" (in Indonesian). Kompas. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  9. ^ Widyantara, Gunawan (13 June 2020). "Wonderkid Indonesia Witan Sulaeman Tandai Debut Radnik Surdulica" (in Indonesian). Goal. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Witan Sulaeman Gabung Lechia Gdansk, Dikontrak 2 Tahun". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). 1 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Witan Sulaeman Debut di Lechia Gdansk, Main 21 Menit dan Nyaris Cetak Gol". kompas.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Witan Sulaeman Debut, Lechia Gdańsk II Cetak Setengah Lusin Gol Saat Tim Utama Ulangi Penyakit Lama". bolasport.com (in Indonesian). 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  13. ^ Markowski, Maciej (26 July 2022). "Od tego sezonu bez Kobrynia i Sulaemana". OFICJALNA STRONA LECHII GDAŃSK (in Polish). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Resmi: Witan Sulaeman Gabung FK Senica". Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Hasil Slovan Bratislava vs FK Senica di Liga Slovakia 2021-2022". Okezone (in Indonesian). Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Witan Cetak Gol dan Assist, FK Senica ke Semifinal Piala Slovakia". CNNIndonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Witan Sulaeman Masih Berkarier di Eropa, Resmi Gabung AS Trencin!". detikSepakbola (in Indonesian). Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  18. ^ "RUŽOMBEROK VS. TRENČÍN 0 - 0". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  19. ^ "HLO 0-14 TRE". Flashscore. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  20. ^ Nugho, Archie (31 January 2023). "RESMI: Witan Sulaeman Gabung Persija Jakarta" [OFFICIAL: Witan Sulaeman Joins Persija]. Goal. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  21. ^ Setyanto, Arif Budi (12 February 2023). "Witan Sulaeman Debut, Persija Jakarta Jadi Pemuncak Klasemen Sementara usai Tumbangkan Arema FC". Bola Times (in Indonesian). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  22. ^ Raissatria, Cikal Bintang (5 April 2023). "Hasil Persebaya Surabaya Vs Persija Jakarta: Gol Debut Witan Sulaeman Hadirkan Angka Penuh". Sport Stars (in Indonesian). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  23. ^ Lazuardi, Bagaskara (15 April 2023). "Pesta Gol Lawan PSS Sleman, Persija Jakarta Finis sebagai Runner Up BRI Liga 1 2022/2023". www.bola.net (in Indonesian). Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Persija Pesta Gol dan Finis Runner-up BRI Liga 1, Thomas Doll Full Senyum". www.bola.com. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Momen Gol Witan Sulaeman di Laga Terakhir Persija Jakarta, Sinyal Siap Gacor di SEA Games 2023". www.libero.id. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  26. ^ Sigit Pratama, Ilham (14 November 2023). "COO Bhayangkara FC Sumardji Sebut Perekrutan Putu Gede dan Witan Sulaeman Sudah Sesuai Prosedur". www.bola.okezone.com. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Ketua Umum PSSI Bangga Timnas U-19 ke Semifinal" (in Indonesian). Soccersindonews. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  28. ^ "Resmi! Daftar 23 Pemain Timnas Indonesia U-19 di Piala Asia U-19 2018". bolalob.com (in Indonesian). 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Witan Sulaiman, Pemain Kampung yang Kini Menjadi Aset Sepak Bola Indonesia" (in Indonesian). boombastis.com. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  30. ^ "Afghanistan Ungkap Kelemahan Indonesia di Menit Krusial". www.kompas.id (in Indonesian). 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Resmi, Ini 28 Pemain Timnas Indonesia Untuk Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2022". bola.tempo.com (in Indonesian). 13 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Indonesia Kalahkan Taiwan 3-0, Witan Sulaeman Sumbang Gol". jabar.tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Laos vs. Indonesia - Football Match Summary - ESPN". ESPN. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Pesta 7 Gol Timnas Indonesia Vs Nepal dan Daftar Kemenangan Terbesar Garuda" (in Indonesian). Kompas. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Hasil Piala AFF 2022 Indonesia vs Kamboja: Skor 2-1" (in Indonesian). Serafin Unus Pasi. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Sah, Witan Sulaeman Resmi Menikah dengan Rismahani". www.sportstars.id (in Indonesian). 29 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  37. ^ "Indonesia - W. Sulaeman - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  38. ^ "2021/22 IV Liga, Gr. pomorska". lechia.net.
  39. ^ Yan (26 February 2019). "Indonesia beat Thailand 2-1 to win AFF U-22 Championship". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  40. ^ "Witan Sulaeman Samai The Footprint of Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto During First Debut in Europe". indosport.com. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  41. ^ "Timnas Indonesia U-23 Dapat Perunggu di SEA Games 2021, PSSI pun Bangga". bola.okezone.com. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  42. ^ Media, Kompas Cyber (16 May 2023). "Hasil Indonesia Vs Thailand: Menang 5-2, Garuda Sabet Emas SEA Games 2023!". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  43. ^ "Piala AFF 2020 Indonesia vs Thailand: Statistik Pertandingan Tunjukkan Kelemahan Garuda | liputan6.com". www.liputan6.com. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
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