REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian national team player Jay Idzes is proud to become the first Indonesian player to play in Italy's Serie A after making his debut for Venezia against Fiorentina at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence last Sunday that ended in a 0-0 draw. Idzes's debut ran for 68 minutes before being replaced by Martin Svoboda.

“I am very proud to be the first Indonesian player to play in Serie A,” Idzes told the PSSI website in Jakarta on Tuesday (27/8/2024).

Idzes was played as a starter by Venezia coach Eusebio Di Francesco in a three-defender formation alongside Marin Sverko and Giorgio Altare. On his Serie A debut, the 24-year-old central defender almost scored in the 18th minute when getting a chance inside the La Viola penalty box.

.He got Alfred Duncan's brilliant pass from a corner football, but his kick bounced over the crossbar. The 1.9-metre tall central defender also produced three sweeps, one interception, one tackle, 58 touches, 52 passes with 96 percent accuracy, two successful hull passes, one duel win from four occasions, and one aerial duel win from four occasions. Idzes hopes his debut inspires other Red and White players.