Indonesia go Dutch for quick fix, qualification boost

An Indonesian team under Dutch colonial rule sailed to France for the 1938 World Cup; they lost their only game 6-0 and the country has not played at the tournament since.

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More than 80 years on, football-mad Indonesia is dreaming of a return, with a large contingent of Netherlands-born players spearheading the charge.

They 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 (PSSI) committee member Arya Sinulingga.

"Fifa provides that space and from our law it is also possible, so why not?"

Ahead of the Nov 15 home clash with Japan in front of an anticipated 78,000 fans in Jakarta, Indonesia are fifth of the six teams in their qualifying group.

The top two reach the World Cup, with the third and fourth going into another stage of qualifying.

Other countries also have naturalised players, but the extent to which Indonesia have done so is striking - nine of the starting XI in a 2-1 loss to China in October were born in the Netherlands.