Jay Idzes became an Indonesian citizen after completing the naturalization process on December 28 last year. According to a source from the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), the 23-year-old Dutch defender also completed the procedure to change federations to play for the team of thousands of islands. Previously, despite having an Indonesian passport, Jay Idzes could not join Indonesia in the 2023 Asian Cup finals because he had not transferred from the Dutch Football Federation to the PSSI.
Jay Idzes is likely to make his debut for the Indonesian national team next month.
According to Indonesian press, with the completion of the procedures, the opportunity for the defender of Venezia Club (in the Italian second division - Serie B) to be called up by coach Shin Tae-yong to prepare for the two matches against Vietnam in March is wide open.
"I'm so happy, everything happened so fast. I'm so grateful and so happy to be here and finally be able to wear this jersey so I'm so impatient," Jay Idzes wrote on his Instagram account on February 12 about his eagerness to wear the Indonesian national team jersey.
Information about Jay Idzes received many expectations to strengthen the Indonesian defense when this central defender is highly appreciated for both his physical strength (1.91 m tall) and skills when coming from the training center of the famous Dutch club PSV.
Even though he plays as a defender, Jay Idzes still hopes to score in his debut match, which will most likely be the two matches against the Vietnamese team in Group F of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia next month.
Jay Idzes (right) is expected to strengthen Indonesia's defense.
"My first goal is to get back in shape and hopefully join the Indonesian team in March or June when they play in the World Cup qualifiers. And then I want to play the first minutes, score the first goal, make my debut, it's all a dream. I hope to achieve that dream," said Jay Idzes.
The Indonesian team will host Vietnam at home in the third match of Group F on March 21. After that, coach Shin Tae-yong's team will visit My Dinh Stadium in the fourth match of Group F on March 26. These are considered two very important matches for Indonesia in competing for a ticket to the next round.
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