The Timor-Leste national football team is the national team of East Timor (Timor-Leste) and is controlled by the Federação de Futebol de Timor-Leste. They are currently one of the weakest teams in the world and the weakest team in ASEAN region. East Timor joined FIFA on September 12, 2005.
Timor-Leste's international debut was the preliminary round of the Asian Cup in March 2003, where it lost 3–2 to Sri Lanka and 3–0 to Chinese Taipei. It also participated in the 2004 Tiger Cup. Timor-Leste's participation in the 2004 edition of South East Asia's premier international football event was revealed following an Asian Football Confederation council meeting in Petaling Jaya. Although not yet a member of the AFC, the Timor-Leste Football Association was invited to sit in on the meeting where they were represented by FA president Francisco Kalbuadi.
[edit] History
Football was established in Timor-Leste during the Portuguese Colony era, where many of the locals and the Portuguese officials played for leisure. After the Portuguese ended its 20 years of colonial rule, Indonesia invaded and occupied the island. East Timor eventually gained independence from Indonesia in 2000, which resulted in a long running battle against Jakarta-led forces.
The East Timor Football Association was accepted as an associate member of AFC at the 20th AFC Congress in 2002. Their international debut came in March 2003 when they participated in the qualifying campaign for 2004 AFC Asian Cup China. Given their status, it was no surprise that they crashed out with defeats against the likes of Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei. They entered the regional competition for the first time in 2004 as they played in the ASEAN Football Federation Championship (previously known as Tiger Cup) as an invited member. A finish in last place showed they still had a long way to go before they could compete even on the regional stage.
They were found to be lacking again in qualifying for the 2007 ASEAN Football Federation Championship, stumbling at the first hurdle with four heavy losses, including a 7-0 trouncing at the hands of Philippines. In the third qualifying for 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup, they surprisingly drew against Cambodia, that the tiny nation's feat even made it to international news.
[edit] Future Plan
The future is bright for Timor-Leste football, with a new campaign underway. There is also much potential with the presence of players like Chris Nunes, (Marconi Stallions Football Club), and former Australian schoolboy representative, Nahuel Arrarte (Marconi Stallions Football Club) - both of whom will gain their Timor-Leste Citizenship next year. Federação de Futebol de Timor-Leste (FFTL) (English: East Timor Football Federation) has tried to invited everyone with East Timor roots currently residing in foreign lands to have themselves naturalized and play for Timor-Leste. The team has two training camps in Brazil and Australia. Every summer and winter, the team go to these camp sites.
Timor Leste away jersey on 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup
Timor-Leste's traditional home kit is red shirts, black shorts and red or black socks. The away kits have featured white or yellow shirts. From 2008 to 2010, their away kits were yellow but at 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification, the away kits changed back into all whites. The kits are currently manufactured by Nike. Timor-Leste first wore kit made by Tiger and played for the 2004 Tiger Cup.
[edit] Kit evolution
[edit] Home Kit
[edit] Away Kit
[edit] Competition records
Main atricle: Timor-Leste national football team results
[edit] World Cup record
| Asian Qualification Records |
| Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D |
L |
GS |
GA |
2006 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2010 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2014 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Total |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
| FIFA World Cup Qualification History |
| Year |
Qualification |
Score |
Result |
| 2010 |
Qualification |
Timor-Leste 2–3 Hong Kong |
Lost |
| Qualification |
Hong Kong 8–1 Timor-Leste |
Lost |
| 2014 |
Qualification |
Nepal 2–1 Timor-Leste |
Lost |
| Qualification |
Timor-Leste 0–5 Nepal |
Lost |
[edit] Lusofonia Games
| Jogos da Lusofonia |
| Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D |
L |
GS |
GA |
2006 |
Did not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2009 |
Did not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2013 |
To be Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Total |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
| Jogos da Lusofonia History |
| Year |
Qualification |
Score |
Result |
| 2006 |
First Round |
Mozambique 5–0 Timor-Leste |
Lost |
| First Round |
Timor-Leste 0–5 Angola |
Lost |
[edit] Asian Cup record
| Asian Cup |
| Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
1956 to 2000 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2004 |
Did not qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
   2007 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2011 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Total |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
[edit] AFC Challenge Cup record
| AFC Challenge Cup |
| Year |
Round |
GP |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
2006 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2008 |
Withdrew |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2010 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2012 |
Did not enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Total |
Best: - |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- 2006 - Was originally selected to take part, but was then replaced
- 2008 - Was selected to take part, but withdrew
[edit] ASEAN Competitions History
This competition was formerly known as the Tiger Cup