Taisei Marukawa Nears Indonesian Citizenship: The Answer to the National Team's Creativity Crisis in Midfield?
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- Proses naturalisasi Taisei Marukawa memasuki tahap akhir, membuka peluang gelandang serang Dewa United itu memperkuat Timnas Indonesia.
- Pengamat menilai kehadiran Marukawa dapat mengisi celah kreativitas di lini tengah yang selama ini bergantung pada Marselino Ferdinan dan Ricky Kambuaya.
- Dengan rekam jejak 36 gol dan 45 assist di Liga Indonesia, Marukawa berpotensi menjadi opsi baru bagi pelatih John Herdman dalam meramu strategi serangan.
Taisei Marukawa is one step away from becoming an Indonesian citizen (WNI). The naturalization process for the Dewa United attacking midfielder is said to have met the requirement of more than five years of residence, and the government, through the Special Staff of the Minister of Law, has supported its smooth progress. If completed, Marukawa could strengthen the Indonesian national team under John Herdman.
National football observer Aris Budi Sulistyo welcomed the prospect. According to him, Marukawa has a playing character that the Indonesian national team's central midfielders have rarely possessed: the ability to carry the ball, make solo runs, and break down opposing defenses.
"Our national team needs a midfielder capable of making solo runs, and that is Taisei Marukawa. He has proven it throughout his career in Liga 1," Aris told Bola.com on Tuesday (27/10/2026).
That need has become more acute following the declining contribution of Marselino Ferdinan and the absence of Ricky Kambuaya from the Garuda squad. Although the Indonesian national team has just won the FIFA ASEAN Cup, Aris believes the midfield still needs additional players with a strong attacking instinct.
"I think this is a good breakthrough as cover for the Indonesian national team's attacking midfielders, who have declined with the absence of Marselino Ferdinan or Ricky Kambuaya no longer being called up," Aris said.
Marukawa's track record in the domestic competition supports that assessment. Since playing in Indonesia in 2021 with Persebaya Surabaya, he has appeared in 163 matches with 36 goals and 45 assists. In the BRI Super League 2026/2027, up to the seventh week, he leads the assist chart with five assists and has taken Dewa United to second place in the provisional standings.
For Herdman, Marukawa offers a more varied tactical alternative. His ability to create space and disrupt the concentration of opposing defenses could be key when the Indonesian national team faces teams with a tight defensive block, especially at the Asian level. However, naturalization is not without risk. Adapting to Herdman's playing style and competition in midfield remain homework.
If the naturalization process is completed, Marukawa could be a valuable addition to the Indonesian national team, which is building the foundation of an attacking game. The public is now waiting to see whether his presence can truly boost the Garuda's firepower on the Asian stage.
