Indonesia international defender Sandy Walsh has completed his move from Belgian side KV Mechelen to J.League 1 giants Yokohama F. Marinos and almost immediately he’s faced with a number of major challenges – mainly, becoming the first Indonesian to properly shine in the Japanese leagues.
From Ricky Yacobi in the late 80s to Justin Hubner last season, no Indonesian player has ever truly established themselves as a star within Japan’s footballing pyramid. Even Yacobi—who made six appearances and scored once for Matsushita Electric in the 1988/89 season—was only a peripheral figure at his club.
Pratama Arhan’s limited game time at Tokyo Verdy further fueled skepticism about Indonesian players in Japan. Many saw the talented wing-back as little more than a marketing move by Verdy, aimed at capitalizing on Southeast Asia’s growing influence in the J.League and the region’s massive fanbase.
However, Sandy Walsh’s experience in Belgium—having played for Mechelen, Zulte Waregem, and Genk—offers a different narrative. Yokohama head coach Steve Holland has every reason to trust him to solidify the team’s defense.
Walsh’s arrival also draws comparisons to Thailand’s Theerathon Bunmathan, who joined Yokohama in 2019 and quickly became a key player. Initially arriving on loan from Muangthong United, Theerathon established himself as a starter under Ange Postecoglou and later Kevin Muscat, playing a pivotal role in Yokohama’s 2019 J.League 1 title run.
Given Walsh’s Belgian pedigree and Yokohama’s positive history with Southeast Asian talent, he has a real chance to prove that Indonesian players can thrive in one of Asia’s top leagues, just like their Thai counterparts.
On a personal level, Walsh could also become the J.League’s next Southeast Asian icon. With Thai stars Supachok Sarachat and Ekanit Panya dropping to J.League 2—Supachok through relegation with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Ekanit joining Ehime FC on loan—only Walsh, Thailand’s Jaroensak Wonggorn (on loan at Cerezo Osaka), and Machida Zelvia’s young Japanese-Burmese goalkeeper Kaung Zan Mara will represent Southeast Asia in J1 next season. With Kaung still too young for regular first-team action and Cerezo’s history of underutilizing Southeast Asian talent—evident in Hubner, Chaowat Veerachat, Tawan Khotrsupho, and Phongrawit Jantawong mostly warming the bench—the door is wide open for Walsh to claim the spotlight.
If he earns Holland’s trust and showcases the defensive prowess that made him a standout in Belgium, Walsh could follow in Theerathon’s footsteps. More importantly, he has the chance to break the long-standing barrier that has kept Indonesian players from making their mark in the J.League.