Jakarta. Dutch footballers Ivar Jenner and Rafael Struick took the oath to officially become Indonesian citizens in Jakarta on Monday, paving their way to the national team or Garuda.

The news came days after Indonesia won the SEA Games football gold medal for the first time in 32 years.

Both men wore white shirts and dark suits with traditional caps called peci during the ceremony at the Justice Ministry’s Jakarta office.

"It’s an extraordinary day and I would like to thank the PSSI Chairman and the Indonesian government. I can’t describe my feeling but for sure I’m super happy,” Jenner was quoted as saying on the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) website.

“I promise to give my best to this nation and I look forward to joining the national training center," the 19-year-old from Utrecht added.

Struick, 20, echoed his friend’s words, calling the moment “a special day in my life”.

“And like Ivar, I’m eager to join the training camp of the national team as soon as possible," said Struick, who was born in the Netherlands' southern town of Leidschendam.

Both men were initially recruited to the national squad to compete in the 2023 U-20 World Cup in which Indonesia had earned automatic qualification as a host.

But the Indonesian edition was abruptly canceled by world football governing body FIFA due to opposition to Israel’s participation by some elements in Indonesia. FIFA moved the venue of the tournament, which began earlier this month, to Argentina instead.

The unexpected development didn’t change their commitment to becoming Indonesian citizens. 

Jenner is currently playing as a midfielder for the U-21 squad of FC Utrecht, but his contract expires next month. In 2019, he was also a member of the Dutch U-15 team.

Struick is a forward player for ADO Den Haag club and he already made his debut with the Indonesian U-20 team during the 1-2 defeat in a friendly match with Slovakia on Nov. 19, 2022.

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