Malaysia Coach Praises Indonesia’s Naturalization Program

Cklamovski Suggests Malaysia Should Learn from Indonesia

In a recent interview with Astro Arena, Malaysia national team head coach Peter Cklamovski shared his views on the development of Malaysian football and highlighted Indonesia’s successful naturalization strategy as a model to consider.

The Australian tactician observed Indonesia’s achievements over the past five years, noting that the naturalization program for diaspora players from European leagues has yielded significant results. He suggested that Malaysia could benefit from adopting a similar approach to strengthen its national team.

Cklamovski Emphasizes Merit-Based Selection

Addressing the topic of naturalization, Cklamovski emphasized the importance of selecting players based on merit and performance. He stated:

“The selected players are those who are good enough and have proven their worth in the national team.”
— Peter Cklamovski, as quoted by Liputan Sakti

This perspective underscores his commitment to building a competitive squad by including players who demonstrate the necessary skills and dedication, regardless of their origin.

Indonesia’s Diaspora Strategy Delivers Results

Indonesia’s success in naturalizing players with Indonesian heritage who play in top European leagues has helped elevate the team’s performance. The PSSI’s initiative has allowed the Indonesian national team to compete more consistently against some of Asia’s strongest footballing nations.

The impact of this strategy has created a positive domino effect, with more players from high-level European clubs now expressing interest in representing Indonesia.