Indonesia’s Naturalization Trend: Vietnam’s Interest Hinted by Kata Kim Sang-sik
In a bold move, the Indonesian National Team’s aggressive approach to naturalizing players continues to draw attention in Southeast Asia. Following the appointment of Patrick Kluivert as the new coach, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has intensified its search for eligible heritage players to strengthen the national team.
The players linked to this project include Emil Audero Mulyadi, Ian Maatsen, Pascal Struijk, Ole Romeny, and the rumored progress of Jairo Riedewald towards an agreement alongside Kluivert’s arrival. This proactive step taken by PSSI in seeking heritage players has also garnered a response from the coach of the Vietnam National Team, Kim Sang-sik.
In an interview with South Korean media outlet Yonhap, Kim acknowledged that player naturalization is currently a trend in Southeast Asia. He hinted that if Vietnam aims to compete globally and fulfill their dream of qualifying for the World Cup, they must follow the global trend in football development.
Expert Insights from Kim Sang-sik
Kim Sang-sik emphasized that the strength of Southeast Asian teams is evolving annually. The competition now extends beyond the ‘Big Four’ countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with every team posing a threat. The rising expectations of the Vietnamese populace post their success in the 2024 AFF Cup have made Kim realize the strategic importance of maintaining the national team’s competitiveness.
Kim remarked, “More Southeast Asian teams are recruiting naturalized players or players with dual citizenship. If we want to achieve the dream of playing in the World Cup, the national team and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) must strive to keep pace with the times.”
With the intense competition in Southeast Asia and the ambitious goal of reaching the World Cup, embracing the naturalization trend appears to be a strategic option that cannot be overlooked.
Malaysia’s Similar Efforts
Apart from Indonesia, Malaysia is reportedly pursuing the naturalization of several players. According to ZingNews, the Malaysian Football Federation is identifying six to seven players for naturalization to bolster their national team for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) President Ismail Idris confirmed that the Malaysian government is expected to fully support this process. “We have identified 6-7 experienced players for the national team. The Malaysian government is expected to support the process so they can compete in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in March,” he stated.
All eyes are now on Vietnam’s next steps to maintain competitiveness in Southeast Asia and on the international stage. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
By Tio,
