Determined To Appear In Indonesia U-23 At The 2025 SEA Games, Zijlstra Still Waiting For Permission From FC Volendam

Mauro Zijlstra is waiting for the club's permission to defend the U-23 Indonesian national team at the 2025 SEA Games (VOI/Ferry Tri Adi Sasono).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team striker, Mauro Zijlstra, is determined to help the team when appearing at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. However, regarding the decision to participate in the agenda, he is still waiting for permission from his club FC Volendam.

Mauro Zijlstra is one of the players called by Indra Sjafri to attend the U-23 Indonesian national team training camp (TC).

This agenda was held in preparation for the men's soccer match at the 2025 SEA Games which was held on 3-18 December 2025.

The 2025 SEA Games are not included in the FIFA calendar, where each club has the right to decide whether or not to send its players to defend their respective countries.

Referring to this situation, Zijlstra is still waiting because he has not yet fully received the green light from Volendam.

"So, I told Volendam that I want to play in this tournament (SEA Games 2025) and now I am waiting for their answer," said Mauro Zijlstra after a training session at the Madya Stadium, Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

Zijlstra's belief to be able to help the team at the 2025 SEA Games was so high because he was also armed with three appearances in the senior Indonesian national team. He revealed the reason why he was excited to appear at the 2025 SEA Games.

"I thought I could play at the SEA Games. I haven't played much here," said Zijlstra.

Zijlstra officially became an Indonesian citizen (WNI) after taking the oath at the end of August 2025. With that status, Zijlstra has even played in two FIFA Matchday matches for the September 2025 edition.

At that time, the coach of the Indonesian national team, Patrick Kluivert, also played Zijlstra in one of the two matches of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Fourth Round against Iraq.