AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam (left) with PSSI President Nurdin Halid during the latter's visit to AFC House on Tuesday.

KUALA LUMPUR: A delegation from the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), led by its President Nurdin Halid, met AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam during their visit to AFC House on Tuesday.

After the meeting, Nurdin hailed the AFC Asian Cup 2007™, which Indonesia co-hosted with Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as the turning point of Indonesian football.

Indonesia came into the event as rank outsiders but caused an early upset when they defeated Bahrain 2-1 before losing 2-1 in injury time to Saudi Arabia. A win over the Koreans would have seen them go through to the last eight for the first time but a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Korea Republic ended the nation’s fairytale run in Asia’s premier football competition.

“I'm disappointed that we could not go through to the knockout round but I'm proud of the players," said Nurdin earlier today.

However, despite their exit, Nurdin believes that Indonesia has benefited from their participation in the event and sees a bright future ahead.

Nurdin, who has been re-elected unopposed for the second term in April 2007, said: “The post-AFC Asian Cup™ era is bright for Indonesia football. There is a surge in spectators’ attendance in local matches.”

Nurdin believes that with the country's huge population, an increasing interest among media and fans and backing of government and commercial partners, Indonesia can become a major football power in Asia by 2020.

"This is our vision to be at par with the Asia's best in 2020. With the launch of a full professional Indonesian Super League in March 2008, I see a bright future of Indonesian football."

Nurdin feels it is the time to re-launch the Vision Indonesia Project under AFC’s Vision Asia programme.

"I've studied the Vision Indonesia Project personally and I am very much impressed by the marvellous idea created by Mr Hammam. His vision is second to none and I believe that with the success of the AFC Asian Cup 2007™, Indonesia is ready to revive the Vision Asia project."