Nathan Tjoe-A-On's Chance To Debut In The Indonesian National Team In The First Clash Vs Vietnam

Nathan Tjoe-A-On may defend the Indonesian national team in the first meeting against Vietnam (Instagram/@nathantjoeaon).

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir responded to Nathan Tjoe-A-On's opportunity to appear for the Indonesian national team in the first meeting against Vietnam in the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification.

Nathan's naturalization was completed on Monday, March 11, 2024. He has taken the oath of Indonesian citizen (WNI) at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Jakarta.

After taking the oath, Nathan has actually officially become an Indonesian citizen. He is then expected to debut with the Indonesian national team in the near future.

Nathan already owns the citizenship documents needed for registration of the Garuda Squad. However, the chairman of PSSI said that there are still several things that need to be taken care of so that Nathan can appear with the Garuda Squad.

"That (Nathan joined the Indonesian national team on March 21, 2024), depending on the process later. This (process) (still) must (manage) ID cards, passports, registrations. This is still a process, you know. It doesn't mean it's finished," said Erick Thohir in the Central Jakarta area, Thursday, March 14, 2024.

"If Nathan (Tjoe-A-On, yesterday with the (naturalization) process that has been carried out, hopefully on the 21st (March 2024) we will make sure the ID card and passport have been issued," he said.

In fact, the chairman of PSSI is optimistic that Nathan can debut with the Indonesian national team during the first clash against Vietnam.

However, the chairman of PSSI considered that Nathan's decision to play or not was not his domain, but Shin Tae-yong's authority as the head coach of the Indonesian national team.

Meanwhile, the chairman of PSSI also said that the names of two other naturalized players, namely, Thom Haye and Ragnar Oratmangoen, are also being sought to immediately join the Garuda Squad.

However, the two may have only been able to join in the second meeting against Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium, March 26, 2024.

"Yes, we are trying for Thom (Haye) and Ragnar (Oratmangoen) to join forces against Vietnam on March 26, 2024," he said.