According to reports, the recent inclusion of Irvan Bahcdim, who plays for FC Utrecht in the Netherlands, into the Indonesian Under-23 team for the Asian Games in Qatar is just the beginning of recruitment of foreign-based players of Indonesian descent. Another player who has been approached by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) for its U-23 team is Radja Nainggolan who is currently playing for Italian club Piacenza. “It is a move to further strengthens the national team although the citizenship issue will have to be resolved,” said Nurdin Halid from PSSI. "We hope that through the recruitment of these players, we can be competitive in qualifying for the World Cup in 2018 if not the one in 2014.”
Other players which have been listed as potential candidates and who have either parent as Indonesians are Johny Hestinga, Michael Timisela, Sven Taberima, Christian Sapusepa, Robert Timisela (Ajax Amsterdam), Mathija Marunaya, Gaston Salasiwa (AZ Alkmaar), Ignacio Tuhuteru, Raphael Tuankotta (FC Groningen), Marciano Kastirejo, Max Lohy, Stefano Lilipaly (FC Utrecht), Domingus Lim-Duan, Nelljoe Latumahina, Juan Hatumena, Petg Toisuta (FC Zwolle) and Djilmar Lawansuka (Feyenoord Rotterdam). All of the players identified are under the age of 23-years-old.
Other players which have been listed as potential candidates and who have either parent as Indonesians are Johny Hestinga, Michael Timisela, Sven Taberima, Christian Sapusepa, Robert Timisela (Ajax Amsterdam), Mathija Marunaya, Gaston Salasiwa (AZ Alkmaar), Ignacio Tuhuteru, Raphael Tuankotta (FC Groningen), Marciano Kastirejo, Max Lohy, Stefano Lilipaly (FC Utrecht), Domingus Lim-Duan, Nelljoe Latumahina, Juan Hatumena, Petg Toisuta (FC Zwolle) and Djilmar Lawansuka (Feyenoord Rotterdam). All of the players identified are under the age of 23-years-old.