After seven years of waiting, Sandy Walsh, a prominent player from Belgium's top-tier league club KV Mechelen, finally joined the Indonesian National Football Team. He shared his journey with Telecom Asia Sport, describing how his dream of representing Indonesia, the country of his grandparents, required both patience and commitment.
"Born in Belgium but holding a Dutch passport, my international career started with the Netherlands U-15 and U-23 teams before I decided to play for Indonesia," said Sandy. His heritage combines Dutch, Surabaya, and Malang roots, which inspired his decision to switch nationality from Dutch to Indonesian, despite an impressive stint that saw him win the European Championship with the Netherlands U-17 team.
Sandy expressed how his choice to represent Indonesia was a promise to his grandfather. "My grandfather once asked me to play for Indonesia, his homeland, if ever possible. Every time I wear the Indonesian jersey, I remember his words. My grandfather was from Surabaya, and my grandmother was born in Malang."
His journey towards joining the team began nearly seven years ago when Indonesia's then-coach, Simon McMenemy, reached out to him on social media. "Coach McMenemy must have had a database of players of Indonesian descent playing overseas. He asked if I was interested in representing Indonesia, and without hesitation, I accepted," shared Sandy. "I even booked a ticket to Jakarta, attended a charity event, met with PSSI (Indonesian Football Association), and submitted the necessary documents. Then, the waiting began."
However, despite his excitement and readiness, the call from PSSI didn't come, leaving Sandy to question his decision. "I followed my heart, but as the years passed, I started to wonder if I had made the wrong choice," he admitted. Yet, his perseverance paid off when Coach Shin Tae Yong eventually contacted him two years ago, asking if he still wished to play for Indonesia. "I immediately said yes," Sandy said, clearly delighted.
Bet on football with 1xBetLeaving opportunities in Europe wasn’t easy for Sandy, yet he remains confident in his decision. "Playing for Indonesia is something I believe in. We're working to qualify for the FIFA World Cup," he stated. Although currently based in Belgium, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of joining an Asian or even Indonesian club in the future. "I might move to Asia in a few years. It doesn’t have to be Indonesia right away, but I see strong potential in Asia and Indonesia."
Despite the long 18-hour flights, Sandy has developed a fondness for Indonesia. "I love the food. Growing up in the Netherlands, I always enjoyed Indonesian food, especially at the night markets in Rotterdam and The Hague. Gado-gado is one of my favorites," he recalled with a smile.
In his closing remarks, Sandy shared advice for his teammates and young Indonesian players. "There’s a lot of talent and ambition among young Indonesian players, and they’re on the right track," he noted. However, he stressed the importance of discipline. "Discipline in diet, sleep, and punctuality is essential. I believe they're open to learning and improving."
Sandy is currently preparing with the Indonesian National Team for the third round of World Cup qualifiers in the Asian zone. This November, they’ll face Japan and Saudi Arabia at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on November 15 and 19.