Naturalized Players

Do you know Irfan Bachdim and Christian Gonzales ? If you're Indonesia, I'm sure you know. They are naturalized soccer players from our beloved country Indonesia. But do you know on 10 October 2011 there are 5 players has naturalized by Indonesia. Here are some brief biography about them.

1. Stefano Lilipaly 

    Stefano Janite Lilipaly (born 10 January 1990) is a footballer who plays for Eredivisie club Utrecht as a midfielder.Lilipaly played for Dutch amateur club RKSV DCG for three years before joining AZ in 2000. A year later, he signed with Utrecht and progressed through their youth system. He made his first team debut in a 0–0 Eredivisie draw at VVV-Venlo on 6 August 2011. Lilipaly represented the Netherlands at youth level, from under-15 to under-18. He was eligible to represent the Netherlands or Indonesia at senior international level through his parents – his mother is Dutch and his father is Indonesian. He took the Indonesian citizenship oath on 10 October 2011, alongside four other players, to make him officially eligible to represent Indonesia.

2. Greg Nwokolo

Gregory Junior Nwokolo (born 3 January 1986) is a Nigerian-born Indonesian footballer who plays for Indonesia Football League club Pelita Jaya .Nwokolo began his career in Asia with Tampines Rovers FC after one year in summer 2004 signed for Young Lions. He left after an short stint Young Lions in the same year the club and signed for Indonesian team Persijatim Solo F.C. After a half year in Indonesia for Persijatim Solo F.C. joined back to Singapore to sign in January 2005 with top club SAF FC. Singapore Armed Forces FC and signed for PSIS Semarang in early 2006 after another half year in Mid 2006 he joined to PSMS Medan. He played for PSMS Medan one year before signed in January 2007 for Persis Solo, after 13 goals in 24 games in the 2007/2008 season was sold to Persija Jakarta. In Summer 2009 left his club Persija Jakarta and Asia, to search his luck in Europe he signed for SC Olhanense, his contract with the Portuguese club runs between 30 June 2010. In August 2010, he moved back to Persija Jakarta with a transfer fee. As a Nigerian, Greg does not have any record that he has been capped in any match for both junior or senior Nigeria National Football Team. In early 2010, Greg was rumored that he will soon play for the Indonesia national football team, though this rumor wasn't confirmed by Greg himself, what is interesting is that he does not confirm nor deny the rumor. After many speculations, in August 2011 Football Association of Indonesia finally confirmed that Greg has been naturalized, and got Indonesian citizenship officially on October 10, 2011. He will be a part of the Indonesia national football team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

3.Jhon van Beukering

Jhon "Jhonny" van Beukering (born 29 September 1983 in Velp, Gelderland) is a Dutch-Indonesian footballer from Indo (Eurasian) descent, who currently plays as a striker for Pelita Jaya.

After playing for some amateur sides, Vitesse saw his talent, and enticed him to Vitesse's youth academy after some great displays in the youth team of De Graafschap. In the 2000/2001 season he made his debut for Vitesse's main squad. Van Beukering scored 2 goals in the 3 games he played that season. The next season he got a place in the starting lineup for the club and scored 3 goals.

In the 2002/2003 season he almost never played (only 6 times), so he was loaned to FC Zwolle. At FC Zwolle he also played 6 games, scoring 2 goals. The next season his loan spell at FC Zwolle was extended, and Van Beukering scored 3 goals in 14 games.

Van Beukering returned to his former club De Graafschap in the winter break. With 9 goals in 11 games he played an important part in De Graafschap's promotion to the Eredivisie at the end of the 2003/2004 season. In the Eredivisie he played 31 games for De Graafschap, scoring 9 goals. At the end of the season he sustained a heavy knee injury and he couldn't play for more than half a year.

De Graafschap, meanwhile relegated, could use Van Beukering again after the first half season in the Eerste Divisie. Van Beukering began scoring goals soon after returning from his injury.

In early December he signed contract with Feyenoord Jhon van Beukering is a Feyenoord player.

After a stint in Feyenoord, Jhon van Beukering was reported to have signed a 3 years deal with Indonesian Pelita Jaya. He will begin playing with them in 2011-12 Indonesia Super League.

Although he had played several times for the Netherlands Junior team he had never capped for the senior side, so when Indonesian National Team came after him to become an Indonesia citizen he said yes. He was invited to play against Uruguay but unable to play due to Indonesian regulations which does not allow dual nationalities. However recently, he is ready to give up his Dutch citizenship for Indonesia. He was sworn in as a naturalized Indonesian citizen on 10 October 2011, making him eligible to play for the Indonesian national football team.

4. Tonnie Harry Cusell

Unfortunately, I can't find his biography anywhere.

5. Victor Igbonefo

Victor Chukwuekezie Igbonefo (born 10 October 1985 in Nigeria) is a Nigerian-born Indonesian footballer who plays as a defender for Indonesian Super League club Pelita Jaya. Started his career with Nigerdock Soccer Academy and First Bank FC, and has been playing for Persipura Jayapura since 2005. Considered one of the best defenders in the Indonesian Super League because of his height, intensity and discipline. Football Association of Indonesia has announced that Victor is being naturalized officially on October 10, 2011, so he can play for the Indonesia national football team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

I personally agree with this naturalization thing. Because if its can help our country to glory, then why not ? But don't naturalizing too much player because we have so much talented and potential players.

source: Wikipedia

Tiffoni Ceisar

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