Indonesian fans are furious that their national team, despite a massive naturalization program, was still eliminated early.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Despite assembling a squad with many naturalized players, the Indonesian U22 team still disappointed by being eliminated early in the SEA Games 33.

In their final Group C match on the evening of December 12th, the Indonesian U22 team secured a 3-1 victory over the Myanmar U22 team. However, this result was not enough to guarantee them a place in the semi-finals. They still trailed Malaysia U22 in goal difference in the ranking of the best second-placed teams.

Despite bringing five naturalized players to the SEA Games, the Indonesian U22 team was eliminated in the group stage (Photo: Bola).

Notably, at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, the Indonesian U22 team won the gold medal thanks to a squad composed entirely of local players. However, at the 33rd SEA Games, despite adding a number of naturalized players such as Jens Raven, Mauro Zijlstra, Rafael Struick, Ivar Jenner, and Dion Markx, they were still eliminated in the group stage.

Faced with this reality, many Indonesian fans have expressed their anger. On the Seasia Goal website, user Matt Aje commented: “The Indonesian U22 team brought 5 players of Dutch origin to the SEA Games but were still eliminated in the group stage. Perhaps they should have called up 18 Dutch players to guarantee a place in the semi-finals.”

Bagus Weebowo's account added: "I never want to see naturalized players appear in the Indonesian team's lineup."

The account Ranger Alpha sarcastically commented: "U22 Indonesia was determined to avoid U22 Vietnam and U22 Thailand in the semi-finals. In the end, they succeeded."

Indonesian fans have lost faith in naturalized players (Photo: PSSI).

User Andh Hi commented: "It seems like Indonesian youth football is losing its way with the addition of too many naturalized players."

A fan named Domeng Se commented: "Perhaps the Indonesian U22 team should add a squad of naturalized players to match their rivals."

The Peace Of Mind account wrote: "Anyone who disappoints 300 million Indonesians will be held accountable."

Dolanan Apik spoke frankly: “I don’t know how long the curse of failure will last after coach Shin Tae Yong left. However, the best thing is to focus on developing youth football. Naturalized players should reconsider their nationality. They are exploiting niche markets to make money, rather than bringing benefits to Indonesian football.”

In the semi-finals of the 33rd SEA Games, Vietnam U22 will face the Philippines U22 at 3:30 PM on December 15th. Meanwhile, Thailand U22 will meet Malaysia U22 at 8:00 PM on the same day.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/cdv-indonesia-noi-gian-khi-doi-nha-nhap-tich-o-at-nhung-van-bi-loai-som-20251213114645418.htm