The Indonesian national team has once again grabbed attention after a crucial victory over Bahrain, and one of the most highlighted names is Ole Romeny.
This naturalized striker has become a key figure in the attacking line and has the potential to be a long-term mainstay for Garuda.
Career Journey: From Eredivisie to the Indonesian National Team
Ole Romeny is no stranger to European football. Born in the Netherlands, he began his professional career in the Eredivisie with NEC Nijmegen before moving to FC Emmen and FC Utrecht and now playing for Oxford United.
His impressive performances in European clubs caught the attention of PSSI, which successfully persuaded him to represent Indonesia through the naturalization process.
With Indonesian ancestry, Romeny met the requirements to become an Indonesian citizen. Previously, he played for the Netherlands U-15 to U-20 national teams.
However, in November 2024, he decided to represent Indonesia internationally. This decision was approved by FIFA on February 20, 2025, officially tying him to the Indonesian national team.
Romeny’s Impact on the National Team: Quick Adaptation and Playing Style
Since his debut, Romeny has immediately displayed his sharpness as a striker. In his first two matches, he scored a goal in each, including the decisive winning goal against Bahrain after receiving an assist from Marselino Ferdinan.
Patrick Kluivert also praised his performance as the spearhead of Garuda’s attack.In his first two appearances for the Indonesian national team, he managed to score a goal in each match.
Although Indonesia suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against Australia, Romeny scored the team's only goal in his debut.
Then, on matchday 8 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Asian Zone) against Bahrain at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Jakarta on Tuesday (March 25, 2025), he made the difference with a winning goal after capitalizing on an assist from Marselino Ferdinan.
Indonesian national team coach Patrick Kluivert expressed his pride in Romeny's impressive performance as the team’s main striker.
His strong connection with Marselino Ferdinan, which has been built since their time at Oxford United, further highlights their solid partnership in Garuda’s attacking line.
Also read: VinFast Becomes Official Partner of PSSI to Support Indonesian Football
Future Prospects: A Long-Term Pillar for Garuda?
With his promising performance, Romeny has the potential to become Indonesia’s primary striker in the long run.
His main challenges now are maintaining consistency and improving chemistry with his teammates. If he continues to develop, Indonesia could have a reliable penalty-box predator for various international tournaments.
Also read: From Shin Tae-yong to Kluivert: Did Indonesia Make the Right Call?
Career in the Indonesian National Team:
- Debut: March 21, 2025 vs. Australia
- Total Appearances: 2
- Total Goals: 2 (as of March 25, 2025)
Ole Romeny has proven his quality with tangible contributions on the field. With his productive age and experience in European football, he has the potential to be the key to revitalizing Indonesia’s attacking force.
Now, the question remains whether he can continue to deliver his best performances in the upcoming matches.
