The Indonesian team plans to naturalize four more Dutch players before facing Vietnam in March in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup - Asia region.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is speeding up the naturalization process for striker Ragnar Oratmangoen, defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On, midfielder Thom Haye and goalkeeper Maarten Paes. All four players have Dutch nationality and have grandparents of Indonesian origin.
Haye is the most prominent face when he is playing for SC Heerenveen - Doan Van Hau's old team - in the Dutch national championship. The midfielder born in 1995 has played 68 matches, scoring 10 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.
Midfielder Thom Haye plays for SC Heerenveen in the Dutch National Championship. Photo: Pro Shot
Defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On was born in 2001 and plays as a left-back. Due to lack of regular playing time, he was loaned to Heerenveen by Welsh club Swansea City in the winter transfer window.
Striker Ragnar Oratmangoen also plays in the Dutch National Championship, loaned from Groningen to Fortuna Sittard. However, the striker born in 1998 has not scored for the club since the 2022-2023 season.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Maarten Paes was born in 1998, is 1.91 m tall and is currently playing for FC Dallas in the MLS. He was Dallas' starting goalkeeper in the friendly win over Inter Miami - Lionel Messi's team - on January 23. Before moving to the US, Paes played for Utrecht in the Netherlands from 2018 to 2022.
In December 2023, PSSI successfully naturalized center-back Jay Idzes, who plays in Serie B for Venezia Club. However, he did not have time to register for the 2023 Asian Cup.
Justin Hubner (in white shirt), is one of eight naturalized Indonesian players, competing at the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: Lam Thoa
PSSI President Erick Thohir is trying to speed up the naturalization process for four players to strengthen Indonesia. Bola newspaper commented: "The addition of these five players will help Indonesia compete at the Asian level, after the proud achievement at the 2023 Asian Cup".
Indonesia qualified for the Asian Cup group stage for the first time, as one of the four best third-placed teams. They lost 1-3 to Japan and Iraq, but a crucial 1-0 win over Vietnam helped coach Shin Tae-yong's team reach their goal. In the round of 16, Indonesia lost 0-4 to Australia.
Main events of the match Vietnam lost 0-1 to Indonesia in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup.
The Indonesian team continues to aim to defeat Vietnam in two matches on March 21 and March 26, in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Indonesia is at the bottom of Group F with one point, equal to the Philippines but with a lower goal difference, and two points behind Vietnam and five points behind Iraq.
Indonesia's current squad has eight naturalized players, including defenders Jordi Amat, Elkan Baggott, Sandy Walsh, Shayne Pattynama, Justin Hubner, midfielders Marc Klok, Ivar Jenner and striker Rafael Struick.
Hieu Luong
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