National team management confirmed on Thursday that defender Victor Igbonefo, midfielder Greg Nwokolo and striker Jhonny Van Beukering were called up by coach Wim Rijsbergen to a training camp that will start on Tuesday in Jakarta.
Having lost its first three 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Indonesia faces a nearly insurmountable task to advance from Group E. It travels to Qatar on Nov. 11, hosts Iran four days later and finishes group play at Bahrain on Feb. 29.
National team coordinator Bob Hippy said the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) had registered the three players with the Asian Football Confederation and world governing body FIFA.
“We are now waiting for approval whether the three players are eligible to play for the country,” Bob said. “The PSSI won’t give any guarantee that they will make the team. That depends on coach Wim.”
Van Beukering, born in the Netherlands, and Nigeria-born Nwokolo and Igbonefo received Indonesian citizenship on Oct. 10, along with other Dutch-born players Stefano Lilipaly and Tonnie Cusell.
Nwokolo, Igbonefo – both Nigerian-born – and Dutch-born Van Beukering were sworn in for Indonesia citizenship on Oct. 10, along with Lilipaly and Cusell.
Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan, a Germany-born defender who plays for Persema Malang, was the next to naturalize, followed by Netherlands-born players defender Diego Michiels and midfielder Ruben Wuarbanaran.
“I’ve been living and interacting with all the people here for seven years. I love this country and I can’t wait to give my best for the national team,” said Nwokolo, 25.
None of the three players, all of whom recently signed with Pelita Jaya, have represented their former countries before, as required by FIFA.
(thejakartaglobe)
