The Indonesian National Team (Timnas) appeared in the 2020 AFF Cup with several naturalized players, such as Ezra Walian, Victor Igbonefo, and Elkan Baggott. Before them, the Indonesian national team had also been strengthened by naturalized players.
The presence of naturalized players is expected to improve the quality of the Indonesian national team so that they can excel at the international level. However, not all naturalized players are able to meet these expectations.
Here are five naturalized players who did not succeed with the Indonesian national team:
5. Ruben Wuarbanaran
This list will start from Ruben Wuarbanaran who was naturalized in 2011. Unfortunately, Ruben failed to show his tajir with the Indonesian national team.
He also briefly joined several Indonesian clubs, such as Pelita Jaya, Pelita Bandung Raya, and Barito Putera. However, his career also did not develop in the expected direction.
Now, Reuben is 31 years old. Unfortunately, the Dutch-Indonesian player has not had a club since 1 July 2019. Finally, he played for a Dutch club, Germania Groesbeek.
4. Bio Paulin
Bio Paulin was an important figure in the success of Persipura Jayapura from 2007 to 2017. The Cameroonian bloody player helped Persipura win various prestigious trophies.
Bio was naturalized in 2015. Having defended the Indonesian national team several times, Bio’s international career with the Garuda Squad was interrupted by a suspension from FIFA for Indonesian football. Since then, Bio has not made any appearances for the Indonesian national team. Now, Bio is retired.
3. Sergio van Dijk
Sergio van Dijk is the next naturalized player on this list. He performed well with Persib Bandung while playing in Indonesian football.
Unfortunately, a similar performance could not be shown by the Dutch-Indonesian player with the Indonesian national team. After being naturalized in 2014, Van Dijk was unable to lift the performance of the Indonesian national team. The former Persib player has now hung up his boots.
2. Tonnie Cusell
Tonnie Cusell is another naturalized player who did not shine for the Indonesian national team. The Dutch-Indonesian blooded player was naturalized ahead of the 2012 AFF Cup.
Even so, Tonnie Cussel couldn’t do much for the eagle crest on his chest. The Indonesian national team also fell in the group phase of the 2012 AFF Cup. After that, Tonnie Cusel played for Barito Putera in 2014-2015. Now, his name is no longer heard and has retired from the world of football.
1. Jhonny van Beukering
The first position in this list is occupied by Jhonny van Beukering. He was naturalized ahead of the 2012 AFF Cup with the hope of helping the Indonesian national team to become champions.
Unfortunately, the Dutch-Indonesian blooded player only appeared twice for the Indonesian national team. Because the Garuda squad failed to qualify from the group phase. Having played at Pelita Bandung Raya, Van Beukering returned to the Netherlands.
In January 2014, Van Beukering stumbled upon a criminal case because police found 600 marijuana trees planted in one of his homes in Arnhem. Van Beukering denied that he had planted the plant.
After retiring, Van Beukering’s name has faded. For most Indonesians, Van Beukering is better remembered for his stocky body.
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