Los Angeles FC striker Adrian Wibowo is set to make his debut for the Indonesia national team after head coach Patrick Kluivert included the 19-year-old in his squad for friendlies against Chinese Taipei and Lebanon in Surabaya on September 5 and 8.
Adrian, who previously represented the United States at U-17 level, qualifies for Indonesia through his father, a Surabaya-born Indonesian citizen. Crucially, his father’s retained citizenship spares Adrian from the lengthy naturalization process that many of Indonesia’s diaspora players must undergo.
The teenager’s call-up was first revealed on September 3 through LAFC’s official social media channels, which listed their players heading out on international duty. Among them were South Korea captain Son Heung-min, Gabon striker Denis Bouanga, and El Salvador forward Nathan Ordaz.
Adrian’s inclusion makes him the second Indonesian player currently plying his trade in Major League Soccer, following FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who is sidelined with injury.
After a long flight from Los Angeles, Adrian arrived in Surabaya on September 5 and was personally welcomed at the team hotel by Kluivert.
“Wow, finally,” Adrian said in a video posted by the national team’s official Instagram account.
“Yes, we finally meet,” Kluivert replied, embracing his new forward.
However, administrative hurdles mean Adrian will have to wait for his debut. His Indonesian passport had expired during his years in the United States, ruling him out of the September 5 clash against Chinese Taipei. If his documents are processed in time, his first appearance could come on September 8 at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium against Lebanon.
Meanwhile, two other fresh faces — FC Volendam striker Mauro Zijlstra and FC Utrecht attacker Miliano Jonathans — could make their Timnas Garuda debuts against Chinese Taipei.