Andi Ramang facts for kids

Andi Ramang (born April 24, 1924 – died September 26, 1987) was an Indonesian footballer. Many experts and former players in Indonesia believe he was one of the greatest players ever. He was especially famous for his amazing bicycle kicks. He could even score goals directly from corner kicks! Sometimes, he was also called Rusli Ramang in official documents.

Ramang's Early Life

Ramang was born in 1924 in Barru, South Sulawesi. His father, Nyo'lo, was an aide to a local king. Nyo'lo was very good at a traditional sport called sepak takraw. This game is played by kicking a ball made of rattan over a net.

Ramang spent his childhood playing sepak takraw. He used balls made from rattan, cloth, or even oranges. People think this is why Ramang became so good at scoring goals with bicycle kicks.

Club Career and Other Jobs

Ramang started playing football for a club in Barru in 1939. He played there until 1943. After getting married, he and his wife opened a small coffee shop.

Later, they moved to Ujungpandang (now Makassar). Ramang worked as a becak (a type of bicycle taxi) driver. Then he became an assistant truck driver.

In 1947, PSM Makassar noticed Ramang's football skills. They signed him to play for their team. In one match, his team, Persis, won 9–0. Ramang scored 7 of those goals! He played for PSM Makassar for a year. After that, he worked in a Public Works Department.

Playing for Indonesia

In 1952, Ramang was chosen to join the Indonesia national football team. This was a huge step in his career.

Far East Tour

In 1953, the Indonesian team went on a tour of the Far East. They played against teams from the Philippines, Hong Kong, and South Korea. They also played against the Thai Royal Air Force in Bangkok, Thailand.

Indonesia only lost one game, which was against South Korea. They won all the other matches. The team scored 25 goals in total, and Ramang scored 19 of them!

The 1956 Olympics

Ramang was also part of the Indonesian team for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Indonesia automatically reached the quarterfinals. This happened because another team, South Vietnam, decided not to play.

In the quarterfinals, Indonesia played against the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was one of the strongest teams in the world at that time. But Indonesia managed to hold them to a 0–0 draw! This was a huge surprise.

In the replay match, Indonesia lost 0–4 to the Soviet Union. However, the first game is still remembered as one of the most famous matches in Indonesian football history. Ramang, who wore shirt number 9, later said he almost scored a goal in that game. He said his shirt was pulled from behind. This was the first and only time Indonesia's football team has played in the Summer Olympics.

World Cup Qualifiers

Ramang scored another famous goal against China PR in the 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification. Indonesia won that game 2–0. One of Ramang's goals was a fantastic bicycle kick.

Ramang became very popular across Indonesia during his time playing for the national team. In the late 1950s, many Indonesian mothers even named their babies "Ramang" because of his fame!

Ramang: International goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	May 1, 1954	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines	Japan	1–0	5–3	1954 Asian Games
2	May 5, 1954	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines	India	3–0	4–0	1954 Asian Games
3	May 5, 1954	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines	India	4–0	4–0	1954 Asian Games
4	May 5, 1954	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines	Burma	4–5	4–5	1954 Asian Games
5	May 12, 1957	Djakarta, Indonesia	China	1–0	2–0	1958 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	May 12, 1957	Djakarta, Indonesia	China	2–0	2–0	1958 FIFA World Cup qualification
7	June 2, 1957	Beijing, China PR	China	2–1	4–3	1958 FIFA World Cup qualification
8	June 2, 1957	Beijing, China PR	China	3–2	4–3	1958 FIFA World Cup qualification

Achievements

Ramang won many awards and titles during his career.

Club

Persis

• Perserikatan: 1942, 1943

PSM Makassar

• Perserikatan: 1955–57, 1957–59, 1964–65, 1965–66

International

• Asian Games Bronze medal : 1958

Individual

• IFFHS Men’s All Time Indonesia Dream Team: 2022

Later Life and Legacy

In 1960, Ramang was suspended from football. He was accused of taking bribes, but he always said he was innocent. In 1962, he returned to play for PSM Makassar. He finally retired from playing football in 1968, when he was 44 years old.

After retiring, Ramang became a coach. He coached PSM Makassar and other football clubs like PSBI Blitar and Persipal Palu. He later returned to coach PSM Makassar again.

In 1981, Ramang became sick after coaching in the rain. He was diagnosed with pneumonia. Ramang stayed at home for six years because he couldn't afford hospital care. He passed away in Ujungpandang on September 26, 1987, at the age of 63. He left behind four children and ten grandchildren.

Ramang's impact on Indonesian football is still remembered. Andi Mallarangeng, a former Minister of Youths and Sport, said that Ramang was "an inspiration to Makassarese children who love football." A book about his life, Ramang, Macan Bola (Ramang, The Football Tiger), was released in 2011. Harry Tjong, who played with Ramang on the national team, said Ramang was a very special player, like Maradona.