Indonesia brings 11 players playing abroad to attend Asian Cup 2023

According to CNN Indonesia , coach Shin Tae Yong brought to Qatar a squad considered the strongest ever, with 11 players playing abroad, at clubs in Europe and Asia.

First of all, we have to mention 19-year-old striker Marselino Ferdinan, who used to play for domestic club Persebaya Surabaya, but has currently played for KMSK Deinze in the Belgian National Championship since February 2023.

Indonesia mang 11 cầu thủ thi đấu ở nước ngoài dự Asian Cup 2023 - 1 — Marselino Ferdinan (red shirt) is playing in the Belgian National Championship for KMSK Deinze Club (Photo: CNN Indonesia).

Marselino Ferdinan is considered an Indonesian football prodigy, having won the Liga 1 Young Player of the Year award in 2021 while playing for Persebaya Surabaya, and was also voted one of the 60 most promising young talents by The Guardian . The player born in 2004 officially played for the national team since 2022, has made 10 appearances and scored 2 goals.

Another star of the Indonesian team is midfielder Saddil Ramdani, who used to play for domestic club Sri Pahang but has been playing for Sabah FC in the Malaysian Premier League since 2021.

Indonesia national team captain Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar plays in the Korean Super League. After two years with Ansan Greeners, Asnawi moved to Jeonnam Dragons in 2023. Asnawi's contract with Jeonnam is set to expire at the end of 2023, but the Makassar-born player is reportedly interested in a move to one of K-League 1's elite clubs, Seoul, in the near future.

Indonesian defender Pratama Arhan has been playing for Tokyo Verdy in the Japanese Super League since March 2022. However, he is struggling to find a starting spot in the first team while his contract expires at the end of January.

Indonesia mang 11 cầu thủ thi đấu ở nước ngoài dự Asian Cup 2023 - 2 — Indonesia owns tall center-back Justin Hubner who plays for Wolves (Photo: CNN Indonesia).

In addition to domestic players playing abroad, the Indonesian team also has the services of many naturalized players playing in Europe, such as center-back Justin Hubner playing for Wolves (England), center-back Elkan Baggott playing for Ipswich Town (England), right-back Sandy Walsh playing for KV Mechelen (Belgium), midfielder Ivar Jenner playing for Jong Utrecht (Netherlands), and striker Rafael Struick playing for ADO Den Haag (Netherlands).

In addition, defender Shayne Pattynama just ended his contract with Norwegian club Viking FK at the end of 2023. However, the 25-year-old player is said to continue his career at another club in Europe.

With the above-mentioned squad of stars with a lot of experience playing abroad, the Indonesian team is expected to create a surprise at the 2023 Asian Cup even though the "island nation" team is in a very difficult group with the presence of Japan, Iraq and Vietnam.

On January 15, coach Shin Tae Yong's team will have their opening match in the group stage against Iraq at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar.

List of Indonesian team participating in Asian Cup 2023

Goalkeeper

• Muhammad Riyandi (2000 - Persis Solo)

• Ernando Ari (2002 - Persebaya Surabaya)

• Syahrul Trisna (1995 - Persikabo 1973)

Defender

• Elkan Baggott (2002 - Ipswich Town)

• Jordi Amat (1992 - Johor Darul)

• Rizky Ridho (2001 - Persija Jakarta)

• Sandy Walsh (1995 - Mechelen)

• Pratama Arhan (2001 - Tokyo Verdy)