AFP, Jakarta :
An Indonesian team under Dutch colonial rule sailed to France for the 1938 World Cup — they lost their only game 6-0 and the team have not played at the tournament since.
More than 80 years on, football-mad Indonesia is dreaming of a return, with a large contingent of Netherlands-born players spearheading the charge.
Indonesia are in the decisive third round of Asian qualifying as they attempt to reach the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Recent squads have included as many as 10 Dutch-born players after football officials intensely recruited from the Indonesian diaspora in its former colonial ruler.
“We have our choice to look for quality players,” said Football Association of Indonesia Committee Member Arya Sinulingga.
“FIFA provides that space and from our law it is also possible, so why not?”
Ahead of Friday’s home clash with Japan in front of an anticipated 78,000 fans in the capital Jakarta, Indonesia are fifth of the six teams in their qualifying group.
The top two reach the World Cup, with third and fourth going into another stage of qualifying.
Other countries have also naturalised players, but the extent to which Indonesia has done so is striking — nine of the starting XI in a 2-1 defeat to China last month were born in the Netherlands.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said that the current Indonesia side under South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong is “different, stronger”.
“They are a country that has always had a passionate football culture,” he said.
“What has strengthened them is that they have naturalised players who mostly play in Europe, and now they have quality players in almost every position.”
