Indonesian football is experiencing a significant transformation with the ambitious goal of securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Currently, the national team is ranked third in Group C of the Asian World Cup qualifiers with 6 points from 6 matches, trailing only Australia and Japan. This presents a rare opportunity for Indonesia to realize its long-held World Cup dream.
Bold Strategies by PSSI
To achieve this ambition, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has implemented bold strategies. First, they dismissed head coach Shin Tae Yong and appointed Patrick Kluivert. With extensive experience and excellent communication skills, especially with Dutch players, Kluivert is expected to elevate the Indonesian team.
Additionally, PSSI rapidly naturalized six high-quality players to strengthen the squad. Notable names include Ole Romeny, Miliano Jonathans, Tristan Gooijer, Jairo Riedewald, Pascal Struijk, and Emil Audero. These players have experience playing in top European leagues, promising significant changes for Indonesian football.
Naturalized Players
Pascal Struijk and Jairo Riedewald both played in the English Premier League for Leeds and Crystal Palace respectively. Struijk remains with Leeds, now competing in the Championship. Riedewald demonstrated his capabilities in England’s top flight.
Emil Audero is an experienced goalkeeper who has competed in Serie A for several years. He has played for prominent clubs like Sampdoria, Juventus, and Inter Milan. Audero currently plays for Como in Serie A and will be a reliable pillar for Indonesia’s goalposts.
Ole Romeny is a striker playing for Oxford United in the English Championship. Miliano Jonathans and Tristan Gooijer are young talents playing for top Dutch clubs Utrecht and Ajax. Their inclusion promises to bring strength and depth to the Indonesian squad.
The Future of Indonesian Football
The naturalization of numerous high-quality players demonstrates PSSI’s strong commitment to achieving the World Cup dream. However, this also poses challenges for local players whose opportunities may be limited. Nevertheless, PSSI is willing to make short-term sacrifices for greater goals.
With the guidance of Coach Patrick Kluivert and the inclusion of naturalized players, Indonesian football is on a path to significant growth. The ambition to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup is no longer a distant dream but a reachable goal in the near future.
