Rafael Struick Requirements To Play In The 2024 AFF Cup: Indonesian National Team Reaches The Semifinals

JAKARTA - Rafael Struick will not strengthen the Indonesian national team at the beginning of the struggle in the 2024 AFF Cup because he cannot get permission from his club, Brisbane Road.

However, the Australian club will only release the player if the Indonesian national team manages to reach the semifinals or finals.

The 2024 AFF Cup will start from 9 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. In this agenda, the Indonesian national team is in Group B with Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos.

In navigating the 2024 AFF Cup, Shin Tae-yong as the head coach has brought a squad different from the composition in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

The reason is that tournaments throughout ASEA are not included in the official FIFA calendar so clubs are not required to release their players.

This situation caused clashes in the tournament schedule with domestic competitions in various countries. As a solution, PSSI has decided to rely on the majority of young players from League 1 clubs.

However, there is still the possibility that diaspora players such as Ivar Jenner, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, and Justin Hubner will be released by their clubs because all three have not become the main part of their respective teams.

Regarding the diaspora players, the General Chairperson of PSSI, Erick Thohir, admitted that he had not received confirmation.

"I don't know whether they will be released by their respective clubs or not," said Erick Thohir in his statement in Bali quoted on Monday, November 25, 2024.

However, about Rafael Struick, he confirmed that the player would indeed miss the group stage.

Later the 21-year-old striker will only be released by Brisbane Roar if Indonesia steps into the semifinals or finals.

"As for Rafael, I have communicated with Brisbane (Roar). They will not let him go in the group stage. If Indonesia reaches the semifinals or finals, then they allow it," said Erick Thohir.