The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, did not answer when asked about the possibility of the Garuda squad’s starting XI being filled with diaspora players.
Indonesia will receive additional personnel for the R3 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, namely Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders.
STY admitted that he was really looking forward to becoming a new player for the Garuda squad.
There was no problem about them being part of our toktoto online team. They have integrated with other players in the Indonesian National Team,” explained Shin Tae-yong while watching Persib Bandung vs Port FC at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Thursday (19/0/2024).
“I hope they can be registered soon, we’ll just wait and see,” continued Shin Tae-yong.
Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders must become Indonesian citizens (WNI) no later than September 24 2024, the final deadline for player registration for the two Group C matches in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualification in the Asian zone, October 2024.
The Indonesian national team will first challenge the Bahrain national team on October 10 2024. Five days later, the team nicknamed Garuda will visit China.
The naturalization of Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders will first be decided at the DPR RI Plenary Meeting, Thursday (19/9/2024). After that, a Presidential Decree (Keppres) will be issued for both of them.
Shin Tae-yong often uses a three-back formation with variations. The presence of Mees Hilgers will make the Indonesian National Team’s back line even more solid.
Mees Hilgers can be played with Jay Idzes and Rizky Ridho. Meanwhile, Calvin Verdonk and Sandy Walsh can really support from both wing positions.
The presence of Mees Hilgers could very well shift Jordi Amat and Justin Hubner to the reserve bench for the Indonesian National Team.
Eliano Reijnders is a typical all-round player. However, this young man is quite comfortable when played in the right winger position.
This could threaten the previous wingers of the Indonesian National Team. Witan Sulaeman or Marselino Ferdinan are very likely to be relegated to the bench.
Eliano Reijnders is very likely to be installed alongside Rafael Struick and Ragnar Oratmangoen on the front line of the Indonesian National Team.