Sandy Walsh faces adaptation challenges in Japanese League similar to Rafael Struick

Sandy Walsh and Rafael Struick — two diaspora players of the Indonesian national team — are experiencing similar patterns in their adaptation to Asian football.

Struick, who left the Dutch League to join Brisbane Roar in the Australian League at age 21 — only managed to record 10 appearances with a total of 239 minutes played. The Indonesian-owned club languished in 12th position out of 13 participating teams.

A similar fate now befalls Sandy Walsh who decided to move to Yokohama F Marinos — after spending his entire career in the Belgian League. The 30-year-old player is still struggling to adapt to the Japanese style of football.