Indonesia calls up 10 naturalized players to play against Vietnam

Indonesia has called up 28 players, including 10 naturalized players, in preparation for two matches against Vietnam in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Asian region – in the latter half of March.

Six of the ten naturalized players appeared at the 2023 Asian Cup, including defenders Justin Hubner, Jordi Amat, Sandy Walsh, midfielders Marc Klok, Ivar Jenner, and forward Rafael Struick. Four new faces were defenders Nathan Tjoe Aon, Jay Idzes, midfielder Thom Haye, and forward Ragnar Oratmangoen.

All of these players have Indonesian ancestry passed down through their grandparents. Jay Idzes completed his naturalization process in December 2023. The remaining three players were granted online citizenship by the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) on March 7th, and will take their oaths of office on March 12th in Jakarta. Prior to this, the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) had requested special consideration for these players, as March 13th was the deadline for registering the squad list for the International Football Federation (FIFA).

Midfielder Thom Haye in the SC Heerenveen jersey in the Dutch national league. Photo: Pro Shot — Midfielder Thom Haye in the SC Heerenveen jersey in the Dutch national league. Photo: *Pro Shot*

Among the four new faces, Thom Haye stands out the most, currently playing regularly for SC Heerenveen – Doan Van Hau's former club – in the Dutch national league. The midfielder, born in 1995, has played 76 matches and scored six goals for Heerenveen since the 2021-2022 season. He, along with another naturalized Indonesian player, Sandy Walsh, was part of the Netherlands team that won the 2012 European U17 Championship.

Central defender Jay Idzes has played 16 matches for Venezia in the Italian Serie B this season. He recently met with coach Shin Tae-yong in Italy and received confirmation of his call-up to the national team. Meanwhile, defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On, born in 2001, plays as a left-back. Due to a lack of regular playing time, he was loaned to Heerenveen by Welsh club Swansea City during the winter transfer window.

Ragnar Oratmangoen also plays in the Dutch Eredivision, on loan from Groningen to Fortuna Sittard. The striker, born in 1998, has yet to score for Go Ahead Eagles, Groningen, and Fortuna Sittard in 84 matches since the 2021-2022 season. Despite this, the 1.8m tall player is still expected to be a good option for Indonesia to solve their attacking problems.

With these 10 players, Indonesia set a record for the number of naturalized players in a single national team training camp. The previous record was set by Indonesia themselves at the 2023 Asian Cup (seven players). The number could even reach 12 if defender Shayne Pattynama hadn't been injured at Eupen (Belgium), and goalkeeper Maarten Praes of FC Dallas (USA) hadn't been called up.

Midfielder Ivar Jenner (in white shirt) challenges defender Phan Tuan Tai during Indonesia's 1-0 victory over Vietnam in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: Lam Thoa — Midfielder Ivar Jenner (in white shirt) challenges defender Phan Tuan Tai during Indonesia's 1-0 victory over Vietnam in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup. Photo: *Lam Thoa*

Indonesia will gather in Jakarta on March 17th. They will have three days of training before facing Vietnam at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on March 21st, followed by an away match at My Dinh Stadium on March 26th.

Indonesia is currently at the bottom of Group F in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Asian region, with one point, two points behind second-placed Vietnam. Therefore, coach Shin's team aims for a minimum of one win and one draw to overtake Vietnam and gain an advantage in the race to the third round of qualifiers.

In their most recent encounter in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup, Indonesia defeated Vietnam 1-0 thanks to a penalty goal by Asnawi Mangkualam. This was Indonesia's first victory against Vietnam since the first leg of the 2016 AFF Cup semi-final, and also the first win against Vietnam for coach Shin Tae-yong since he took over in 2020.

Indonesian national team roster

Goalkeepers (3): Nadeo Argawinata (Borneo FC), Muhamad Riyandi (Persis Solo), Adi Satryo (PSIS Semarang)

Defenders (12): Nathan Tjoe Aon (SC Heerenveen), Elkan Baggott (Bristol Rovers), Jordi Amat (Johor Darul Ta'zim), Sandy Walsh (KV Mechelen), Rizky Ridho (Persija Jakarta), Edo Febriansah (Persib Bandung), Asnawi Mangkualam (Port FC), Wahyu Prasetyo (PSIS Semarang), Yakob Sayuri, Yance Sayuri (PSM Makassar), Justin Hubner (Wolves), Pratama Arhan (Suwon FC)

Midfielders (6): Thom Haye (SC Heerenveen), Jay Idzes (Venezia FC), Marselino Ferdinan (KMSK Deinze), Ricky Kambuaya (Dewa United), Marc Klok (Persib Bandung), Ivar Jenner (Jong Utrecht)

Forwards (7): Ragnar Oratmangoen (Fortuna Sittard), Rafael Struick (ADO Den Haag), Witan Sulaeman (Bhayangkara Presisi FC), Egy Maulana (Dewa United), Dimas Drajad (Persikabo), Ramadhan Sananta (Persis Solo), Hokky Caraka (PSS Sleman).

Hieu Luong

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