Jakarta – Indonesian national team coach John Herdman received encouraging news from Europe this week, as young defender Damian van Dijk publicly expressed his readiness to represent the Garuda squad. The 21-year-old, currently playing for FC Den Bosch U21, confirmed that communication with the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has been ongoing for several years. This development offers a potential boost to Herdman’s long-term plans, particularly in strengthening the team’s defensive options.
Van Dijk is not a new name on the PSSI’s radar. He revealed he was initially contacted in 2022, coinciding with the federation’s outreach to other diaspora players who have since become integral parts of the national team, including Ivar Jenner, Justin Hubner, Rafael Struick, and Zico Soore. According to Van Dijk, PSSI indicated at that time that they would revisit his potential inclusion once he gained experience playing with a senior professional team.
“From our conversation back then, they said during the first wave of naturalizing players like Ivar Jenner, Zico, and others, that if I were to play and train with a senior professional team, they would contact me again,” Van Dijk stated, as reported by Okezone. He subsequently earned his debut with SC Telstar’s senior team in the Dutch second tier, fulfilling the condition set by the PSSI.
Despite fulfilling the requirements, Van Dijk initially received no further communication from the PSSI beyond congratulations for his debut with SC Telstar. However, contact was re-established this season. “For the current situation, I have contacted them this season. But I don’t want to say what the contact was about yet, because I don’t know what will happen next,” he added.
The defender, who has Indonesian roots through Bogor, made his ambition clear: “I want to become better and likewise contribute to the Indonesian national team. So, even though I haven’t been called up to the national team yet, that motivates me to improve even more. I want to play for the Indonesian national team. Hopefully, someday it will be realized.”
Herdman’s Defensive Reinforcements
This news is undoubtedly a positive development for John Herdman, who was appointed as the new coach of the Indonesian national team in December 2025. He is currently focused on building a strong foundation for the future, and strengthening the defensive line is a key priority. Van Dijk’s potential inclusion would add depth and competition to the squad.
The PSSI initially contacted Van Dijk alongside other potential recruits, including Justin Hubner, Ivar Jenner, Zico Soore, and Rafael Struick, in late 2022, as reported by Okezone. Whereas Jenner, Hubner, and Struick have since become established members of the national team, Van Dijk’s path has taken a different route, requiring him to prove himself at the senior professional level.
Van Dijk’s willingness to represent Indonesia underscores the growing appeal of the national team program under Herdman’s leadership. The coach will now assess Van Dijk’s current form and suitability for the squad, with a potential call-up likely to be considered in the coming months. The PSSI has not yet commented on the specifics of ongoing discussions with Van Dijk.
The development with Damian van Dijk highlights the PSSI’s continued efforts to identify and integrate talented players of Indonesian descent from across the globe. As Herdman continues to build his squad, the addition of players like Van Dijk could prove crucial in achieving the national team’s ambitions.
The next steps will involve further communication between the PSSI and Van Dijk’s representatives to discuss potential opportunities and finalize his integration into the national team setup. Fans will be watching closely to see if the young defender will indeed don the red and white of Indonesia in the future.