Kim Kurniawan

Not to be confused with Jefri Kurniawan.

Kim Kurniawan

Kim with Persib Bandung in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan
Date of birth	(1990-03-23) 23 March 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Mühlacker, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) [1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	PSS Sleman
Number	23
Youth career
1996–2009	Karlsruher SC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2010	FC 07 Heidelsheim	12	(2)
2011–2013	Persema Malang	65	(5)
2014–2015	Pelita Bandung Raya	28	(2)
2016–2021	Persib Bandung	81	(7)
2021–	PSS Sleman	89	(10)
International career‡
2012	Indonesia U23	1	(0)
2015	Indonesia	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 March 2015 (UTC)

Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan (or Jefri, born 23 March 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga 1 club PSS Sleman. Born in Germany, he represented Indonesia at international level.

Personal life

Kurniawan was born in the town of Mühlacker to a German mother and an Indonesian father of Chinese heritage. His paternal grandfather, Kwee Hong Sing, was also a footballer who played for Persija Jakarta and the Indonesia national team in the 1950s. ^[2]

Born with German nationality, Kurniawan decided to take up Indonesian citizenship after the PSSI, the football association of Indonesia, offered him a naturalization path that could pave way for him to win a position on the national team. In December 2010, he officially received an Indonesian passport and, after Cristian Gonzáles, became the second naturalised football player in that country; Gonzáles had done so in November 2010. Kurniawan's sister, Jennifer Kurniawan, is married to Irfan Bachdim, another naturalised Indonesian though born in the Netherlands. Bachdim and Kurniawan, who are both playing for PSS Sleman, came to Indonesia at the same time in 2010 and became teammates at Persema Malang in 2011.^{[ citation needed ]}

Early career

Karlsruher SC

After training at a football academy in Karlsruhe, Kurniawan, then aged 6, was recruited by German club Karlsruher SC, then playing in the Bundesliga. He stayed there for 12 years, participating in youth games against international clubs such as Inter Milan, Valencia C.F. and top German clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. However, Kurniawan suffered a knee injury at 18 in his last junior season, ruining his dream to play in the highest levels of German football. ^[3]

Club career

Heidelsheim

Kurniawan's knee injury kept him away from the ball for the better part of a year. Eventually, he joined FC 07 Heidelsheim in the Verbandsliga, tier-six of German football, at the time. He enjoyed a successful first season, playing in every game and scoring two goals. He had agreed to extend his contract, but this changed after he received an invitation to play in Indonesia with a possibility to play for the national team of his father's country. ^[4]

Persema Malang

Kurniawan went to Indonesia in 2010 with two other Europe-based footballers of Indonesian descent, Irfan Bachdim and Alessandro Trabucco. ^[5] His career there started with an invitation to charity games in East Java cities of Surabaya and Malang in 2010. After the matches, Timo Scheunemann, a German who was coaching top-flight team Persema Malang contacted Kurniawan and offered him a trial, in which the latter impressed. ^[6] Scheunemann recruited Kurniawan and Bachdim to play in the 2011 season of the breakaway Indonesian Premier League, irking the PSSI that later delayed Kurniawan's naturalization process. ^[7] Without an Indonesian passport at the time, Kurniawan could not play as local player until he officially became Indonesian. An injury also kept him from playing on the national team for the Suzuki AFF Cup 2010. Despite the challenges, Kurniawan signed a contract with Persema Malang in 2011 and stayed for almost three years. ^{[8] [9]}

Amid Persema's financial problems in late 2013, Kurniawan tried to play in Thailand but did not secure a contract despite trials at several clubs.

Pelita Bandung Raya

The failure in Thailand led Kurniawan to look for opportunities in Indonesia again. Kurniawan in December 2013 signed up for Pelita Bandung Raya that played in Bandung, West Java in the Indonesia Super League. He played for two seasons there under Serbian coach Dejan Antonic until the club was sold in late 2015 after going through financial difficulties. ^{[10] [11]}

Persib Bandung

Kurniawan in early 2016 joined Persib Bandung after the top club in Bandung hired coach Antonic. During the FIFA one-year suspension on Indonesian football, Kurniawan was part of the Persib team that participated in unauthorized tournaments in his first season, including the 2016 Indonesia Soccer Championship A where the club finished fifth and the 2016 Bhayangkara Cup that saw the team went all the way to the final. ^{[12] [13]}

Kim Kurniawan at Persib

Kurniawan's second season saw his team finish 13th in the 2017 Liga 1, the first full-season of top-flight Indonesian football after FIFA lifted the suspension. Unfortunately, injuries affected his career again. He broke his fibula at the end of the season after being tackled by a Persija Jakarta player in the traditionally hostile Persija-Persib match. Kurniawan had to sit out most of the 2018 Liga 1. During recovery, Kurniawan developed an array of businesses in Bandung, ranging from a clothing line to a barbershop that has gained popularity among fans. ^{[14] [15]}

Kurniawan's undeterred will to come back from injury in late 2018 that led to a revived performance in the 2019 Liga 1 season, along with a number of goals, and his popular businesses won support from Persib fans who affectionately call him "Little Kimmy". Fans first thought he would retire in Bandung. However, Kurniawan shocked Persib loyalists when he decided to move in February 2021.

PSS Sleman

Kurniawan in early 2021, before the pre-season Piala Menpora tournament, decided to join PSS Sleman. His main reason was to reunite with coach Dejan Antonic and brother-in-law Irfan Bachdim, who both joined the up-and-coming Liga 1 club for the 2020 season that abruptly ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[16] Kurniawan made his PSS Sleman debut in a pre-season tournament 2021 Menpora Cup against Madura United on 23 March 2021. ^[17] On 5 September 2021, Kurniawan made his league debut for PSS Sleman, playing as a starter in a 1–1 draw over Persija Jakarta. ^[18] He captained his team for the first time, in a match against Bali United on 27 October. ^[19]

On 2 February 2022, he scored his first league goal in 2–3 lose over Persik Kediri. ^[20] On 24 March, he scored equalizer for the club, scoring a penalty shoot-out in the 31st minute and provided an assist to Mario Maslać in PSS's 3–2 win over Persela Lamongan. ^[21] On 31 March, he played his closed match of the season with scored in a 2–0 win over Persija Jakarta. The victory made PSS Sleman finish in 13th place in the final standings. PSS closed the league this season by collecting 39 points. Therefore, PSS Sleman is still in the highest caste of the Liga 1 next season and avoid relegation. ^[22]

Ahead of the new season, he suffered a dislocated shoulder. The injury had to make him go to the operating table, causing him to miss the training sessions and even a few weeks of pre-season matches. ^[23]

It's a long break until the next season starts. So, I can use that time to heal

— Kurniawan speaking about his injury recovery with PSS Sleman after surgery. ^[24]

Kurniawan is also confirmed to be absent throughout the preparation period for PSS Sleman to face 2022–23 Liga 1, he said it would take at least three months for him to fully recover and join the team. ^[25] On 23 August 2022, he made his comeback after dislocated shoulder as an 79th-minute substitute against Persik Kediri, also scored his first goal of the season in the 86th-minute in a 0–2 away win at Brawijaya Stadium. ^[26] On 29 September, Kurniawan scored the opening goal in a 1–2 home lose over Persita Tangerang, scored a header off a pass from Bagus Nirwanto in the 31st minute. ^[27] Kurniawan then scored against Bhayangkara in a 3–1 away lose on 5 December. ^[28] He then played the full 90 minutes and provided the one-two pass for Zé Valente's goal in a 1–2 win against Bali United on 19 December. ^[29]

On 9 February 2023, Kurniawan scored in a 2–1 win over Persik Kediri, the second of which was a volley into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. ^[30] On 17 February, Kurniawan scored equalizer in a 1–3 home lose over Dewa United. ^[31] He added his sixth goals for the club on 7 April with one goal against Bali United in a 2–0 home win at Maguwoharjo Stadium. ^[32]

International career

Kurniawan came to play in Indonesia in 2010 after injuries dashed any hope of getting called by his birth country Germany. Tempted by the possibility of representing his father's country, he took up the PSSI naturalization offer. In 2011, Kurniawan received the call from the Indonesia national under-23 team to play in the Southeast Asian Games 2011. He trained in several cities, including Hong Kong but did not break into the final squad. ^[33]

In 2015, he was invited to the official FIFA friendly games against Cameroon and Myanmar. ^[34] During the match in Sidoarjo on 30 March 2015 against Myanmar, Kurniawan was brought on and made his debut for the senior team in a 2-1 win.

Honours

PSS Sleman

• Menpora Cup third place: 2021 ^[35]

Individual

• Menpora Cup Best Eleven: 2021 ^[36]

Filmography

• Tendangan dari Langit (2011)
• Aku Cinta Kamu (2014)

References

1. "Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
2. Prayugi, Wiwig (8 February 2016). "8 Pemain Indonesia Berdarah Tionghoa Era 1990-an hingga Sekarang". bola.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
3. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
4. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
5. Red Garuda leading, Irfan scored (Indonesian)
6. "Kim Jeffrey Susul Irfan Ke Persema". sport.detik.com. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
7. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
8. "Pelatih Persema Meradang, SK WNI Kim Kurniawan 'Disandera' PSSI". bola.republika.co.id. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
9. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
10. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
11. "Main di PBR, Kim Kurniawan Bagai Terlahir Kembali". liputan6.com. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
12. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
13. "PBR Sering Tak Bayar Gaji, Kim Jeffrey Bulat Pindah ke Persib". bola.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
14. "Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan Alami Cedera Patah Tulang Fibula". bola.com. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
15. "Pulih dari Cedera, Kim Kurniawan Siap Merumput". bola.kompas.com. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
16. "Dejan Antonic Jadi Alasan Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan Hijrah ke PSS". bola.com. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
17. "Hasil Piala Menpora 2021 : Madura United Menang Dramatis atas PSS Sleman Bersyukur" (in Indonesian). www.liputan6.com. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
18. "PSS Sleman 1–1 Persija Jakarta". Soccerway. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
19. "Gagal Lagi, PSS Kalah dari Bali United!". www.krjogja.com. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
20. "PSS Sleman Vs Persik Kediri: 2 Kali Unggul, Super Elja Kalah 2-3". www.detik.com. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
21. "Ditekuk PSS Sleman 3-2, Persela Genapkan Laga 24 Kali Tanpa Kemenangan Beruntun". beritajatim.com. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
22. "Kalahkan Persija 0-2 dan Lolos dari Degradasi, Happy Ending PSS Sleman". www.bola.net. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
23. "Kim Jeffrey Cedera Dislokasi Bahu". jawapos.com. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
24. "JALANI PEMULIHAN PASCA OPERASI BAHU, KIM KURNIAWAN DIPASTIKAN ABSEN DI AWAL LIGA 1". onefootball.com (in Indonesian). 10 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
25. "KIM KURNIAWAN ABSEN PADA MASA PERSIAPAN PSS SLEMAN, PENYEBABNYA BAHU". onefootball.com. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
26. "Debut Kim Kurniawan Pascacedera Cetak Gol Kemenangan PSS Sleman Atas Persik Kediri". Tribunnews. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
27. "Dikalahkan Persita 1-2, PSS Sleman Catat Kekalahan Keempat di Kandang". harianjogja.com. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
28. "PSS Ditekuk Bhayangkara 3-1, Semangat Evaluasi Kekurangan Elja!". harianjogja.com. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
29. "Tekuk Bali United 1-2, PSS Sleman Akhiri Puasa Kemenangan". www.detik.com. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
30. "Hasil Liga 1: Kim Kurniawan Cetak Gol Voli Indah, PSS Libas Persik". www.inews.id. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
31. "Liga 1, PSS Sleman Ditekuk Dewa United 1-3 di Kandang Sendiri". www.detik.com. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
32. "Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan dan Ricky Cawor Cetak Gol, PSS Tumbangkan Bali United 2-0". jpnn.com. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
33. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
34. "kimkurniawan | ABOUT ME". kimkurniawan (in German). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
35. Donny, Afroni (24 April 2021). "Tekuk PSM Makassar, PSS Sleman Rebut Peringkat Tiga Piala Menpora". goal.com. Goal. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
36. "Persija Mendominasi Semua Lini, Ini Best XI Resmi Piala Menpora 2021". bolalob.com.

External links

• Kim Kurniawan official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 5 June 2013)
• Interview on career in English Football Indonesia podcast
• Kim Kurniawan at Soccerway
• Kim Kurniawan at National-Football-Teams.com