Indonesian players make impressive debut in March World Cup qualifiers

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rated Jay Idzes - a naturalized Indonesian center-back - as one of the 12 most impressive players in the March matches, in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup - Asia region.

Idzes had a perfect debut for Indonesia, playing the entirety of two 1-0 and 3-0 wins over Vietnam. Not only did he help his team keep a clean sheet, the centre-back also scored the opening goal in the ninth minute, opening the scoring for Indonesia's first victory at My Dinh Stadium in 20 years.

"Idzes has extensive experience playing for clubs in the Netherlands and Italy," the AFF article said. "He helped Indonesia win a double against regional rivals to strengthen their chances of advancing to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup."

Center back Jay Idzes (No. 4) celebrates the opening goal in Indonesia's 3-0 win over Vietnam on March 26. Photo: Giang Huy

Besides Idzes, 11 other impressive players were selected by AFC, including Son Heung-min (Korea), Craig Goodwin (Australia), Patiwat Khammai (Thailand), Omar Khrbin (Syria), Joel Kojo (Kyrgyzstan), Sharif Mukhammad (Afghanistan), Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan), Sultan Adil (UAE), Mousa Al Taamari (Jordan), Wu Lei (China), Oday Dabbagh (Palestine).

Idzes is currently playing regularly in the Italian Second Division - Serie B with Venezia. Before that, he played 57 matches for FC Eindhoven in the Dutch First Division from 2018 to 2020. In the 2020-2021 season, Idzes moved to Go Ahead Eagles and helped the team gain promotion to the Dutch national championship. The 24-year-old center-back played two more seasons with 60 matches before moving to Italy.

The 1.9m-tall centre-back was born in the Netherlands but has Indonesian grandparents. Idzes only completed the Indonesian naturalization process in December 2023, but did not register in time for the 2023 Asian Cup. The presence of this centre-back in the two matches against Vietnam in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup completely filled the absence of Jordi Amat and Elkan Baggott.

Vietnam 0-3 Indonesia — Main events of the match Vietnam lost 0-3 to Indonesia, in the fourth round of Group F, second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.

In addition to scoring, Idzes left an impression when he fooled Van Toan with a flick over his head at the end of the first leg in Jakarta on March 21. The video of the move went viral on Indonesian social media with millions of views. When asked about the situation, Idzes said: "I'm very happy that the situation went viral on social media. It's beneficial for me and the team to be known by more people."

Idzes is a target in the plan to naturalize players of mixed Indonesian blood. In addition to Idzes, the Indonesian national team currently has 11 other naturalized players, including goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who plays for FC Dallas in the US, defender Justin Hubner (Cerezo Osaka - Japan), Nathan Tjoe Aon (SC Heerenveen - Netherlands), Sandy Walsh (Mechelen - Belgium), Jordi Amat (Johor Darul Ta'zim - Malaysia), Shayne Pattynama (Eupen - Belgium), midfielder Ivar Jenner (Utrecht - Netherlands), Thom Haye (SC Heerenveen - Netherlands), Marc Klok (Persib Bandung - Indonesia), striker Rafael Struick (ADO Den Haag - Netherlands), Ragnar Oratmagoen (Fortuna Sittard - Netherlands).

Indonesia is currently second in Group F of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Asia, with seven points, four points ahead of Vietnam, so it is almost certain to qualify for the third round. In the last two matches in June, Indonesia will face the Philippines and Iraq at home, respectively.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Source link