The youngest player in the history of the Indonesian national team, Mathew Baker, speaks about his soccer journey and his decision to represent Indonesia.
Mathew Baker is a 17-year-old footballer born in Melbourne who made history as the youngest player ever to represent the Indonesian national team. He plays as centre-back and left-back in the Melbourne City FC academy. His mum is part of the Indonesian diaspora, and his dad is Australian.
In a conversation with SBS Indonesian, Baker spoke about his journey from grassroots football in Melbourne to his emotional debut with the Indonesian national team at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
From Grassroots Football to the Melbourne City Academy
He started playing football as a young child alongside his two older brothers, Tim and Dan, Baker said. The family's love for the game came largely from his father, who played at a fairly high level when he was younger, he added.
He played at grassroots clubs Malvern City and Box Hill United before joining the Melbourne City Football School, Baker said.
The experience at the football school helped prepare him for the Melbourne City Academy, which he entered at the age of 13, he said. He then progressed through every age group before earning his first professional contract at 16, he added.
Playing for Indonesia
His decision to represent Indonesia was never about choosing one country over the other, Baker said. He is an Indonesian and an Australian, and he has a deep love for both countries, he said.
After playing with Indonesia's youth teams since the age of 15, however, he felt such a strong sense of acceptance and belonging that he had no reason to switch, Baker said.
The decision carries significant consequences. After representing Indonesia at the senior level, he cannot simply switch to Australia, Baker said.
Baker would need to wait three years, and if he earned two more caps, the door would close permanently, he said. Yet Baker does not regret his choice and feels deeply grateful to play for Indonesia, he added.
For me, it wasn't really a choice between Indonesia and Australia. I'm an Indonesian boy, I'm an Australian boy, and I have so much love for both countries. But I felt so much love and a sense of belonging there, and there was no reason for me to switch.Mathew Baker, Indonesian national team/Melbourne City FC player
An Emotional Debut at Gelora Bung Karno
Baker recalled his debut against Oman at Gelora Bung Karno, when a video of him in tears went viral on social media. The moment came as he and his teammates sang "Tanah Airku" after the match, he said.
That was when it truly hit him that he had just debuted for Indonesia, Mathew said.
Baker looked around the stadium, saw roughly 30,000 fans in attendance, and realised how much joy the national team brings to the entire country, Baker said. He felt proud to be part of it, he added.
Off the Pitch
Growing up in Melbourne with an Australian father and an Indonesian mother was a wonderful experience, Baker said. His day-to-day life has been shaped more by his Australian side, but he takes great pride in his Indonesian heritage, he said.
He loves the Indonesian supporters, Baker said. Even at youth level, the fans always turn up and show incredible support, he said.
Knowing that an entire nation stands behind you every time you step onto the pitch is an extraordinary feeling and a core part of Indonesian football identity, he added.
When asked about potential film roles, he is not much of an actor, Baker said, but his agent is working on some brand partnerships. They are being very selective, and his sole focus remains football, he added.
Listen to the full interview on the SBS Indonesian podcast.
