Ivar Jenner Backs Taisei Marukawa for Indonesia National Team, but Herdman Decides
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- Ivar Jenner menyatakan antusiasme jika Taisei Marukawa bisa memperkuat Timnas Indonesia setelah proses naturalisasi tuntas.
- Jenner menegaskan bahwa keputusan akhir tetap berada di tangan pelatih kepala John Herdman, bukan para pemain.
- Marukawa telah lima tahun bermain di Indonesia dan dianggap telah menyatu dengan sepak bola nasional.
Dewa United midfielder Ivar Jenner welcomed the possibility of his teammate Taisei Marukawa strengthening the Indonesia national team. However, he stressed that the final decision remains with head coach John Herdman.
The statement came after Jenner and Marukawa worked together to help Dewa United beat Persija Jakarta 2-1 in the eighth week of the BRI Super League 2026/2027 at Banten International Stadium, Serang, on Saturday (31/10/2026). Marukawa himself is undergoing the naturalization process to become an Indonesian citizen (WNI) after five years living in the country since 2021.
For Jenner, Marukawa is more than just an ordinary teammate. He believes the winger born in Higashihiroshima, Japan, on 30 January 1997, has the quality the Garuda squad needs. "For us, Taisei is a very important player. He is a good player," said Jenner, who has collected 30 caps with the Indonesia national team.
Despite his enthusiasm, Jenner did not want to overstep the coach's authority. He acknowledged that player selection is Herdman's domain. "I have also heard about it because he has been in Indonesia for five years so he can undergo the naturalization process. However, that is the decision of the Indonesia national team head coach," he said.
Jenner revealed that Marukawa is open to playing for the Indonesia national team. For him, the opportunity is a great honor. "I had a little chat with Taisei. He is open to playing for the national team. For him, playing for the Indonesia national team is a great honor," Jenner said.
"In my view, Indonesia has also become part of his heart because he has played here for five years and loves this country."
— Ivar Jenner
Jenner also said that Marukawa often watches Indonesia national team matches, especially when his Dewa United teammates such as Egy Maulana Vikri and Rafael Struick are playing. That, according to Jenner, shows Marukawa's emotional closeness to Indonesian football. "Sometimes he also watches my, Rafael's, and Egy's matches when we play for the national team. So I think he is also excited to be able to play with the Indonesia national team," he added.
Marukawa's naturalization has drawn attention because the process has been relatively smooth after five years playing in the domestic competition. If completed, he will add an option to the Indonesia national team's attacking line, which currently often relies on players abroad. However, the decision must still go through the coach's considerations, including tactical fit and team needs.
Herdman himself has not given an official comment regarding Marukawa's chances. The public is waiting to see whether the English coach will call up the 29-year-old player in the next international agenda. What is clear is that support from teammates like Jenner is a positive signal for Marukawa, but not a guarantee.
Going forward, Marukawa's naturalization process will be a test for the national team management in handling the transition of naturalized players. If successful, this step could set a precedent for other foreign players who have long built their careers in Indonesia. However, if it fails, the public will question the effectiveness of the naturalization policy that has been implemented so far.
