FIFA Includes Marselino Ferdinand In List Of 6 Potential Asian Players By 2025
JAKARTA - FIFA appointed Indonesian National Team player, Marselino Ferdinand, to be included in the list of one of the Asian players (AFC) who is predicted to shine. Therefore, the player is deemed worthy to be watched out for in the 2026 World Cup Qualification which will continue in 2025.
Marselino Ferdinand is in third place out of six players predicted by FIFA to shine in 2025. Two other young players who are above Marselino and deemed worthy of monitoring in 2025 are Mohammad Abualnadi (Yordania) and Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan).
Following the three names are Ali Jasim (Irak), Marcus Meloni (Union of the Arab Emirates), and Seol Young-woo (South Korea). The series of names were deemed appropriate to be on the list because during 2024 they appeared charming and promising.
Marselino himself was included in the FIFA list taking into account the player's appearance when he scored two goals against Saudi Arabia. From that appearance, FIFA said that although he was still 21 years old, Marselino appeared calm and cold in the opponent's mouth.
"(Marselino) Ferdinand has impressive technical skills and the ability to read the game in his role as attacking midfielder," wrote FIFA on the official website quoted Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
"His performance amazed the audience and culminated in his goal in Garuda's historic victory over Saudi Arabia last month," continued FIFA.
With the status of FIFA, it clearly adds to the confidence of the Indonesian national team which will continue the struggle in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in 2025. In that period, the Garuda Squad will play the remaining four matches in the Third Round against Australia, Bahrain, China, and Japan.
The Indonesian national team is scheduled to face Australia in Sydney on March 20, 2025 and host Bahrain at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on March 25, 2025.