Indonesia has called up 28 players, including 10 naturalized players, to prepare for two matches against Vietnam in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup - Asia region in the second half of March.
Six of the 10 naturalized players have appeared at the 2023 Asian Cup, including defenders Justin Hubner, Jordi Amat, Sandy Walsh, midfielders Marc Klok, Ivar Jenner and striker Rafael Struick. Four new faces include defenders Nathan Tjoe Aon, Jay Idzes, midfielder Thom Haye and striker Ragnar Oratmangoen.
All of these players have Indonesian roots from their grandparents. Jay Idzes completed his naturalization in December 2023. The remaining three names were facilitated by the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) to naturalize online on March 7, and will take the oath of office on March 12 in the capital Jakarta. Previously, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) had requested special permission for these players, because March 13 was the deadline to register their playing list with the World Football Federation (FIFA).
Midfielder Thom Haye in action for SC Heerenveen in the Dutch national championship. Photo: Pro Shot
Of the four new faces, Thom Haye stands out the most as he is currently playing for SC Heerenveen – Doan Van Hau’s former team – in the Dutch national championship. The midfielder, born in 1995, has played 76 matches, scoring six goals for Heerenveen since the 2021-2022 season. He and another naturalized Indonesian player, Sandy Walsh, were in the Dutch squad that won the 2012 European U17 Championship.
Center back Jay Idzes has played 16 matches for Venezia in the Italian First Division - Serie B this season. Recently, he met directly with coach Shin Tae-yong in Italy and was confirmed to be called up to the national team. Meanwhile, defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On was born in 2001 and plays as a left-back. Due to his lack of regular playing time, he was loaned to Heerenveen by Welsh club Swansea City in the winter transfer window.
Ragnar Oratmangoen also plays in the Dutch league, loaned from Groningen to Fortuna Sittard. The striker born in 1998 has not scored for Go Ahead Eagles, Groningen and Fortuna Sittard after 84 matches, since the 2021-2022 season. However, the 1.8 m tall player is still expected to be a good option for Indonesia to solve the problem on the attack line.
With these 10 players, Indonesia set a record for the number of naturalized players in a national team training session. The previous milestone was set by themselves, at the 2023 Asian Cup (seven players). The number could even reach 12 people, if defender Shayne Pattynama had not been injured at Eupen Club (Belgium), and goalkeeper Maarten Praes of FC Dallas (USA) had been called up.
Midfielder Ivar Jenner (in white shirt) disputes with defender Phan Tuan Tai in the match where Indonesia beat Vietnam 1-0 in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: Lam Thoa
Indonesia will gather in Jakarta on March 17. They will have three days of training before meeting Vietnam at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on March 21, then visiting My Dinh Stadium on March 26.
Indonesia is at the bottom of Group F of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup – Asia region, with one point, two points behind the second-placed Vietnam. Therefore, coach Shin and his team set the minimum goal of winning one and drawing one to surpass Vietnam, thereby gaining an advantage in the race to the third qualifying round.
In the most recent confrontation in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup, Indonesia beat Vietnam 1-0 thanks to a penalty goal by Asnawi Mangkualam. This was Indonesia's first victory over Vietnam since the first leg of the 2016 AFF Cup semi-finals, and also the first victory over Vietnam for coach Shin Tae-yong since taking the job in 2020.
List of Indonesian team
Goalkeepers (3): Nadeo Argawinata (Borneo FC), Muhamad Riyandi (Persis Solo), Adi Satryo (PSIS Semarang)
Defenders (12): Nathan Tjoe Aon (SC Heerenveen), Elkan Baggott (Bristol Rovers), Jordi Amat (Johor Darul Ta'zim), Sandy Walsh (KV Mechelen), Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta), Edo Febriansah (Persib Bandung), Asnawi Mangkualam (Port FC), Wahyu Prasetyo (PSIS Semarang), Yakob Sayuri, Yance Sayuri (PSM Makassar), Justin Hubner (Wolves), Pratama Arhan (Suwon FC)
Midfielders (6): Thom Haye (SC Heerenveen), Jay Idzes (Venezia FC), Marselino Ferdinan (KMSK Deinze), Ricky Kambuaya (Dewa United), Marc Klok (Persib Bandung), Ivar Jenner (Jong Utrecht)
Strikers (7): Ragnar Oratmangoen (Fortuna Sittard), Rafael Struick (ADO Den Haag), Witan Sulaeman (Bhayangkara Presisi FC), Egy Maulana (Dewa United), Dimas Drajad (Persikabo), Ramadhan Sananta (Persis Solo), Hokky Caraka (PSS Sleman).
Hieu Luong
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