Don't Overlook Southeast Asia: Shin Tae-yong's Star Shines in Europe

A New Era for Indonesian Football

Justan Huibner, a 22-year-old center-back from Portuna Sithart, made his official debut on the European stage. Known as "Shin Tae-yong's student," Huibner previously played for Wolverhampton Wanderers' youth academy before moving to Fortuna Sittard this summer. His journey took an exciting turn when he was loaned to Cerezo Osaka in Japan, and now he has taken his first steps in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie.

On September 9, Huibner started in the opening match of the 2025-2026 Eredivisie season for Fortuna Sittard against Go Ahead Eagles at the Fortunasitard Stadium. He played the full 90 minutes in a thrilling 2–2 draw. This performance marked a memorable debut, especially considering that he faced Dean James, a fellow Dutch-born player who represents the Indonesian national team. The moment was celebrated widely, with fans and analysts alike recognizing the significance of such a matchup.

Huibner’s inclusion in the Indonesian squad highlights the country's evolving football landscape. With a bold naturalization policy, Indonesia is actively bringing in talent from the Netherlands and other European countries. This strategy has led to a surge in overseas players representing the national team.

Among the notable names are goalkeeper Emil Audero, who plays for Cremonese in Italy’s Serie A promotion team, and center-back Kevin Diggs, who recently moved from Copenhagen to Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany. Other players like defender Miss Hilgers (Trente), Calvin Beardonk (Nimegen), midfielder Nathan Chuaon (Bochum), and striker Ollie Romeni (Oxford United) are also making their mark in European leagues.

Indonesian captain Jay Ease, who became the first Southeast Asian player to debut in Serie A last season, is set to move from Venezia to Sassuolo. With this transfer, the number of Southeast Asians playing in Europe’s top five leagues has increased to four. Alongside Audero, Eze, Dix, and Argentine center-back Facundo Garces (Deportivo Alaves), the region is gaining more visibility on the global football stage.

Facundo Garces, who joined La Liga club Alaves in January 2024, naturalized for Malaysia in June and made his A-match debut in a game against Vietnam. This trend is not limited to Indonesia; Malaysia and Vietnam are also strengthening their squads through naturalized players. The focus on defensive improvements is particularly evident, with teams using physical and skilled foreign talents to bolster their weaknesses.

Vietnam’s head coach, Kim Sang-sik, recently introduced French fullback Cao Pendant Bang Bin (Kong An Hanoi) to the national team. This development signals a shift in how Southeast Asian nations are approaching international competitions.

Looking ahead, players like Son Heung-min (LAFC) will face challenges in World Cup qualifiers and Asian Cups, as they will have to compete against increasingly strong Southeast Asian teams. The growing presence of naturalized players is reshaping the region’s football scene, creating a more competitive and dynamic environment.

As these changes unfold, it's clear that the future of Southeast Asian football is being shaped by a combination of local talent and strategic imports. This evolution promises to bring more excitement and intensity to the sport in the region.