Five Diaspora Players on Indonesia National Team Radar, from Brighton Defender to Arsenal Graduate
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- PSSI dan John Herdman tengah memetakan lima pemain keturunan yang berpotensi memperkuat Timnas Indonesia menuju Piala Dunia 2030.
- Nama-nama seperti Pascal Struijk, Dean Zandbergen, dan Demiane Agustien menawarkan kualitas Eropa yang bisa menutup celah di lini pertahanan, depan, dan tengah.
- Keberhasilan naturalisasi tetap bergantung pada kelayakan administrasi, kesediaan pemain, dan dinamika regulasi FIFA yang ketat.
After failing to reach the final round of the 2026 World Cup, PSSI and coach John Herdman are not sitting idle. They are now targeting a number of diaspora players plying their trade in European competitions to strengthen the Indonesia national team on the road to the 2030 World Cup. The move is part of a long-term strategy to build a squad deep enough to compete at international level.
Since Herdman took charge nine months ago, the Indonesia national team has shown significant progress. The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup title is evidence that the team's foundation is taking shape, even though most players still come from the Shin Tae-yong and Patrick Kluivert era. The addition of new diaspora players such as Luke Vickery and Mitchell Baker signals that PSSI is serious about using the heritage route to raise quality.
However, the chance for these five players to represent the Merah-Putih is not automatically open. The naturalization process must go through various stages, from eligibility of citizenship administration, the players' willingness, to the blessing of their respective clubs. Here is a look at the five names on the radar.
The first and most prominent name is Pascal Struijk. The 26-year-old center-back was born in Deurne, Belgium, but has Indonesian blood through his maternal grandparents, who hail from the country. He represented the Netherlands U-17 in 2016 with three caps, but has never played at senior level. Struijk's Premier League experience with Brighton is an added value, especially if Herdman applies a three-center-back scheme. His presence could shore up a back line that has long been a weak point.
Up front, Dean Zandbergen offers the profile of a target man striker standing 188 cm tall. Last season he was sharp for VVV Venlo with 15 goals, and had scored four goals in four opening matches before moving to Dinamo Bucuresti. With the Romanian club, he has recorded one goal and one assist in four appearances in the 2026/2027 season. Zandbergen, who has an Indonesian grandfather, has openly stated his desire to represent the Garuda, though he has not dared to guarantee that the naturalization process will run smoothly.
Creative midfielder Julian Oerip (19) is an attractive option for the midfield. The AZ Alkmaar U-21 player has Surabaya lineage through his father and grandfather. His performances in the Dutch second tier this season have been impressive: three goals and four assists in 10 matches. If successfully naturalized, Oerip could become the attacking engine the Indonesia national team has long lacked.
On the right-back flank, Daijiro Chirino (24) is ready to put pressure on Kevin Diks. The player of Maluku descent plays for Almeria in the Spanish second tier and has contributed one goal in eight matches. His flexibility and experience in Spanish competition make him worth considering to add depth at full-back.
Finally, Demiane Agustien (19), who plays for Arsenal U-21. Born in the Netherlands on 28 July 2007, he has a maternal grandmother who is Indonesian. Agustien has appeared in three Premier League 2 matches this season and has represented Curacao U-17 as well as the Netherlands U-18 and U-19. His playing style is often compared to German star Jamal Musiala. His presence could be a long-term investment for the Garuda's attack.
"I would be very proud if one day I could wear the Indonesia national team jersey," Zandbergen said in a separate interview, as quoted by Dutch media.
Despite the promising prospects, the realization of naturalization for these five players still depends on administrative dynamics and FIFA regulations. PSSI needs to move quickly given that the 2030 World Cup qualifiers will begin in the coming years. If successful, it is not impossible for the Indonesia national team to be more competitive and realize the dream of reaching the final round for the first time.
The question is, can PSSI convince these diaspora players to choose Indonesia amid offers from other countries? Time will tell, but the first step has been taken.
