Nathan Tjoe-A-On Returns To Club After Defending Indonesia U-23 In Group Phase, Absent In Quarter Finals?

Nathan Tjoe-A-On is doubtful of appearing with the U-23 Indonesian national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals (Instagram/@natantjoeaon).

JAKARTA - Nathan Tjoe-A-On is known to return to his club, SC Heerenveen (Eredivision), after helping the U-23 Indonesian national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup group phase.

This situation made Nathan predicted to miss the quarter-final match on April 26, 2024.

Previously, it was known that SC Heerenveen did give Nathan permission to strengthen the U-23 Indonesian national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, but only one week. After that, the 22-year-old player must return to the club based in the Netherlands.

The news of Nathan's return to the Netherlands was known from the upload of the @futboll.indonesia account on Monday, April 22, 2024, morning WIB. In the upload, it was stated that Nathan was already on his way back to the Netherlands.

"Nathan Tjoe-A-On is currently on his way back to the Netherlands. Nathan Tjoe-A-On was only given permission by his club for a week to join the U-23 Indonesian national team! Lost one ammunition. Thank you Nathan! Safe flight," wrote the account.

Nathan joined the U-23 Indonesian national team in the final minutes. He only flew to Qatar after helping SC Heerenveen win 2-0 over Heracles at the 2023/2024 Eredivisie on Sunday, April 14, 2024, WIB night. In fact, the inaugural match of the U-23 Indonesian national team in the Group A phase was held on April 15 or the next day.

With permission from SC Heerenveen, Nathan was able to appear in three U-23 Indonesian national team group stage matches. He helped the team qualify for the quarter-finals.

However, given the deadline from Heerenveen which was only one week, Nathan had to return to defend the team immediately.

Nathan was asked to return to the Netherlands because SC Heerenveen will return to play the match on Thursday, April 25, 2024, WIB night. They will host PSV Eindhoven in the 31st week of the Eredivisie 2023/2024.

The match was held one day before the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals. As a result, this condition opened up the possibility that Nathan would miss out.

However, it is reported that the player and PSSI have lobbied SC Heerenveen so that they can return to give permission when the U-23 Indonesian national team appeared in the quarter-finals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Regardless of the decision later, the presence of Nathan Tjoe-A-On in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals is very much needed. You see, strong opponents are waiting for the U-23 Indonesian national team in that round, namely the B Group winners contested by South Korea U-23 and Japan U-23.