The Indonesian national team is entering a strong transformation phase under the guidance of head coach Patrick Kluivert. One of the key strategies proposed by the tactician is to bring in naturalized players to elevate the team’s level. The first player targeted is Jairo Riedewald, a former Premier League star.
Jairo Riedewald – A Versatile Player Handpicked for Success
Jairo Riedewald, born in 1996, currently plays for Royal Antwerp in the Belgian First Division A. Before that, he spent seven years with Crystal Palace in the Premier League, where he made a total of 97 appearances and scored 3 goals. Possessing versatile playing abilities, this player can operate as a defensive midfielder or a center-back, offering flexibility in team formations.
Despite having played for the Netherlands national team three times, Jairo is still eligible to switch national teams under FIFA rules, as all his previous appearances occurred before he turned 21. This is a favorable factor that helps Indonesia accelerate the naturalization process for the player.
Coach Patrick Kluivert has clearly expressed his desire to bring Jairo to the Indonesian national team: “I want him to be naturalized as soon as possible. We need quality players to build a cohesive squad that blends naturalized and local talents.” PSSI Chairman, Erick Thohir, also confirmed that the naturalization approval process is being expedited.
The Combination of Naturalized and Local Players
While placing great expectations on naturalized players, coach Patrick Kluivert asserts that he has not overlooked local talents. He emphasized: “I want to uplift local players by training them to meet physical and mental standards. They need good ball control and a clear understanding of their roles on the field.”
The strategy of combining naturalized and local players is expected to help Indonesia rise more strongly in the region. Currently, the Indonesian national team ranks third in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with 6 points from 6 matches, trailing only formidable opponents Japan and Australia. This demonstrates that using naturalized players is not just theoretical but also brings practical results.
A New Direction for Indonesian Football
Indonesia’s urgent naturalization of Jairo Riedewald reflects PSSI’s great ambition to elevate the nation’s position on the Asian football map. If successful, Garuda (the nickname for the Indonesian national team) could truly become a team that competes fiercely with regional powerhouses.
With coach Patrick Kluivert’s leadership and well-structured strategies, Indonesian football fans have every right to hope for a brighter future. Will Jairo Riedewald be the perfect piece to turn Indonesia’s World Cup dream into reality? Let’s wait and see!
References
- Dantri.com.vn
- Reuters
- BBC
