REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The back-to-back victories over Vietnam in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (1-0 and 3-0) made the chances of the Indonesian team advancing to the next phase even greater. Jay Idzes et al need only three more points to accomplish that.

The presence of naturalized players who have Indonesian blood proved to further strengthen the Indonesian national team. The quick work of PSSI under the leadership of Erick Thohir enabled these players to play at the right time.

This included two debutants, Ragnar Oratmangun and Thom Haye, who played at the right time because a number of Indonesian players had their health disrupted before the match.

PSSI Exco member Arya Sinulingga assessed that the naturalization program of players with Indonesian ancestry or blood carried out by PSSI in the past year has made the Indonesian national team stronger.

“Previously our players were sick a lot, thankfully there are two new players (Ragnar Oratmangun and Thom Haye), this adds to our strength,” Arya said in a recording received by Republika.co.id on Wednesday (27/3/2024).

Arya added that this proves the naturalization step of the PSSI in the era of Erick Thohir attracts players with a good and better level so that the team is stronger.

“Hopefully a year-long strengthening step in taking eight naturalized players (plus one in the process), these eight players make the team even more classy. It's a good move we're making,” he said.

Ragnar, says Arya, plays very fast the left side. He proved his mettle and scored goals as well. Then Thom Haye matured into a midfield general who made the flow of the ball all the better.

“For sure Jay Idzes has become a formidable pillar in the backline, the team is stronger and more feared in Asia,” said Arya.

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