1 week ago
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November 5, 2024 | 11:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Football Association, PSSI, speaks up about the active naturalization program for Indonesian national team players. PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi stated that the program is at the request of tactician Shin Tae-yong. In the latest update, PSSI is currently in the process of naturalizing a player from the Netherlands, Kevin Diks.
"Regarding the naturalization, we have had intensive discussions between PSSI, observers, and especially coaches, including Shin Tae-yong. He (Shin Tae-yong) mentioned that Indonesian players have not been able to achieve the goal of qualifying for the World Cup, so the naturalization of players is necessary," Yunus said at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, November 4, 2024.
According to Yunus, PSSI hopes to see the Indonesian National Team rise to Asian prominence and qualify for the World Cup, as desired by the public. Based on the South Korean coach's recommendations, PSSI is actively recruiting players from the Indonesian diaspora. "We leave everything to Shin Tae-yong to provide these recommendations and some names that are currently strengthening the Indonesian national team," he said.
He claimed that Indonesian naturalized players have significantly increased the Garuda team's competitiveness on the Asian stage. This is evidenced by their current position, tied with Australia and Saudi Arabia in the Asian Zone of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. "Before, it was difficult to secure a draw, let alone a win. We have communicated with various parties, including their agents during the naturalization process, to assure them that they can still play for the Indonesian national team if needed," said Yunus.
Shin Tae-yong brought 27 players with him ahead of the rest of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Fifteen of the 27 players on the list are naturalized citizens. They include Maarten Paes (FC Dallas), Jay Idzes (Venezia FC), Jordi Amat (Johor Darul Ta'zim FC), Mees Hilgers (FC Twente) and Justin Hubner (Wolves U-21), Calvin Verdonk (NEC Nijmegen), Shayne Pattynama (KAS Eupen), Sandy Walsh (KV Mechelen), Thom Haye (Almere City), Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Swansea City), Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht).
There are also strikers such as Ragnar Oratmangoen (FCV Dender), Marselino Ferdinand (Oxford United), Rafael Struick (Brisbane Roar), and Eliano Reijnders (PEC Zwolle). In a boost for Indonesian football, Dutch player Kevin Diks (FC Copenhagen) will officially become an Indonesian citizen and join the national team on November 7.
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