Naturalized Dutch players to join national soccer team

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 09/24/2010

The Football Association of Indonesia announced on Friday two Indonesian-born Dutch players had agreed to undergo a naturalization process to be able to don national colors in international matches.

Sergio van Dijk

Head of the National Team Body, Iman Arif, said Sergio van Dijk and John van Breukeling would join a training camp in Jakarta on Oct. 3 for an international friendly against World Cup semifinalist Uruguay on Oct. 8 at the Bung Karno Stadium.

“Sergio van Dijk and John van Breukeling have agreed. They will turn up for the second phase of training center and play in the match against Uruguay,” Iman told kompas.com.

Iman and national team coach Alfred Riedl are in the Netherlands to scout Dutch players who are willing to be naturalized.

Iman said he had selected 46 footballers who play in the premier league or second division league in the Netherlands.

“We hope we can bring four or five naturalized players back to Indonesia. Now we are selecting quality footballers,” Iman said.

Van Dijk now plays for Adelaide United in Australia, while van Beukering is with Dutch second division side Go Ahead Eagles.