Pelatih Bahrain Kritik Naturalisasi Indonesia: Seperti Bermain Melawan Belanda!

Naturalization Controversy: Bahrain Coach's Remarks on Indonesia's Rising Stars

Timnas Indonesia's aggressive naturalization efforts have drawn sharp comments from Bahrain's coach, Dragan Talajic. He likened facing the Garuda team to competing against the Netherlands, citing the influx of players with dual heritage.

Recently, Indonesia welcomed three new naturalized players: Emil Audero Mulyadi, Dean James, and Joey Mathijs Pelupessy. Talajic remarked, "Every time we face Indonesia, there are always two or three new players on the list. Now, there's a new goalkeeper from Serie A and two others from the Dutch league," as reported on March 12, 2025.

The trio of naturalized players took their oaths to become Indonesian citizens in Rome on March 10, 2025. Each brings significant European experience: Emil Mulyadi plays for Como 1907 and Palermo in Italy, Joey Pelupessy represents Groningen in the Netherlands and Lommel SK in Belgium, while Dean James is a key player for Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands.

Talajic expressed that the presence of so many players of mixed heritage makes it feel like they are up against the Dutch national team. "It seems like we are playing against the Netherlands, but we are ready for anything. We will show what we can do, and we are not afraid," he asserted.

Indonesia is set to face Bahrain in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 25 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. In their previous encounter in Bahrain in October 2024, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Indonesia conceding a last-minute goal amid controversial officiating by referee Ahmed Al Kaf.