The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has just had its first reaction right after losing to U23 Vietnam in the final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship: naturalizing striker Mauro Zijlstra.
Erick Thohir, president of PSSI, and other top Indonesian football officials understand that the quality of the current squad is not enough.
U23 Indonesia needs new players, aiming for the U23 Asia qualifiers in September, and especially the SEA Games taking place at the end of the year.
PSSI is currently processing Zijlstra's naturalization application. The process is expected to be completed by September this year.
That also means the 20-year-old Dutch striker will be able to play for Indonesia U23 in the 2026 AFC U23 qualifiers.
U23 Indonesia hosts the qualifying round of Group J, facing opponents U23 Korea, U23 Macau and U23 Laos.
The 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers are also a test for Zijlstra. If he makes a good impression, he will be called up to the Indonesian national team a month later.
In October, Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. The matches will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Thohir and coach Patrick Kluivert are having a headache in finding a striker to replace Ole Romeny - who has just broken his leg and will have to rest for a long time.
Romeny was instrumental in bringing Indonesia to the fourth round, a Southeast Asian miracle. He scored important goals in victories over Bahrain and China (both 1-0).
“Mauro is part of the rebuilding process. Remember, the Indonesian team only has one striker. Ole has been injured recently,” said Erick Thohir.
The head of PSSI continued: “Mauro is only 20 years old, he can try his hand at the Indonesian U23 team. If he plays well, he will have a chance to join the national team. Let’s wait and see, don’t promise anything in advance.”
Zijlstra has just signed his first professional contract with FC Volendam, who will play in the Dutch professional league (Eredivisie).
In the 2024/25 season, the 1.88 meter tall striker scored 17 goals and had 7 assists after 28 matches in the Dutch youth league system - an average of 104 minutes/goal.
Earlier this week, in a friendly match where Volendam beat amateur opponents Beemster 17-0, Zijlstra scored 6 goals alone. This made Indonesia even more eager to complete his naturalization.
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Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thua-u23-viet-nam-u23-indonesia-nhap-tich-may-ghi-ban-mauro-zijlstra-2427749.html
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