Five Football Players to Join the Indonesian National Team After Naturalization

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - It is rumored that a number of new naturalized players will join the Indonesian national team before June 2024, for the continuation of the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in the Asian zone. The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, believes that their presence will make the Garuda Squad grow further.

"There will be several more Indonesian players who will be naturalized before June. This will make the Indonesian national team even more advanced in the future," he said, quoted from the official Instagram of the Indonesian national team, Thursday, April 4, 2024.

The presence of naturalized players, according to Shin Tae-yong, makes the squad fatter and gives coaches additional player options. Currently the Indonesian national team is strengthened by 11 naturalized players. They are Sandy Walsh, Jordi Amat, Ivar Jenner, Rafael Struick, Shayne Pattynama, Marc Klok, and Justin Hubner. There are also Jay Idzes, Thom Haye, Ragnar Oratmangoen, and Nathan Tjoe-A-On who have just joined the Garuda Squad.

So, who are the new naturalized players who are rumored to be joining the Indonesian national team? Check out the complete summary of information below:

1. Maarten Paes

Maarten Paes. Jerome Miron/USA Today

This player of Dutch-Indonesian descent, who plays as a goalkeeper, is known to be undergoing a naturalization process. The goalkeeper from the Dallas FC club just needs to solve an obstacle that has been bothering him because he played for the Dutch U-21 national team when he was 22 years old. After that, he can take the oath of allegiance as an Indonesian citizen (WNI).

2. Ole Romney

In an interview with Dutch media, VoetbalPrimeur, FC Utrecht striker Ole Romney admitted that he had communicated with PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir regarding his naturalization status as an Indonesian citizen (WNI).

The 23 year old player is also carefully considering the opportunity to defend the Red and White Squad. Playing as a striker, Ole Romeny is expected to be the striker for the Indonesian national team.

3. Calvin Verdonk

Calvin Verdonk, Dutch player of Indonesian descent who plays for the NEC Nijmegen club. X/NEC Nijmegen

This Dutch footballer has Indonesian blood. His father and grandfather and grandmother are from Meulaboh, Aceh, while his mother is a Dutch citizen. In an interview on Yussa Nugraha's YouTube channel, the left-back from the NEC Nijmegen club admitted that he was undergoing a naturalization process. However, he didn't know when the process would be completed.

4. Jens Raven

This 18 year old striker plays for Dordrecht U-21, a second caste club in the Dutch League. Playing as an attacker, Jens Raven reportedly has Indonesian blood from his grandmother who comes from Yogyakarta. Based on his upload on Instagram social media, Jens Raven met coach Shin Tae-yong during a visit to the Netherlands some time ago.

5. Tristan Gooijer

Another new naturalized player who is rumored to be joining the Indonesian national team is Tristan Gooijer. This Ajax Amsterdam U-21 player plays as a right back. Even though he is only 19 years old, he has been promoted to the Ajax first team this season. He has played 12 matches with the Ajax senior team and eight matches in the Eredivisie.

RADEN PUTRI

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