Gary Rowett concerned about Indonesian players’ travel distance in English League

Gary Rowett has expressed concern over the exhausting travel distances faced by Marselino Ferdinan and Ole Romeny after representing Indonesia’s national team—a challenge that continues to affect Indonesian players at European clubs during international breaks.

During the latest international window, Patrick Kluivert‘s squad played two 2026 World Cup Qualification matches, including an away fixture against Australia—a trip that posed a greater logistical challenge compared to European-based players.

Three players from English leagues were part of the national team squad:

• Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Swansea City, Wales)

• Marselino Ferdinan (Oxford United, England)

• Ole Romeny (Oxford United, England)

The travel distance from Oxford United‘s home base to Sydney Allianz Stadium spans 17,039 kilometers, requiring long-haul flights and multiple time zone adjustments. Nathan Tjoe-A-On faced an even longer journey, as his club is based in Wales, adding further fatigue upon his return.

With Indonesia’s growing presence in European football, clubs and national team officials must find solutions—to mitigate the physical toll of international travel whether through better recovery programs, optimized flight schedules, or discussions on player workload management.