Erick Thohir Announces Official Maarten Paes Can Strengthen Indonesia Team

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir announced that Maartin Paes has officially become an Indonesian national team player. Paes is a Dutch footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Dallas.

With the completion of the naturalization process, Paes, who has Pare blood, Kediri Regency, East Java, can strengthen the Indonesian national team. He could also play for the Indonesian national team in the 2026 World Cup third round qualifiers.

“Good news for Indonesian football. PSSI today informs that after going through a long and extensive process, Maarten Paes has finally been successfully registered and can now legally play for the Indonesian national team,” Erick said in Jakarta, Sunday (18/8/2024).

According to Erick, with his love and pride for Indonesia and his ambition to make a positive impact on Indonesian football, PSSI believes Maarten's joining will strengthen the national team. Most notably, Maarten was dumped in the face of the third round of World Cup qualifying.

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“We welcome his arrival with open arms and look forward to the Indonesian national team achieving a better performance,” Erick said.