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Nathan Tjoe-A-On while strengthening the Indonesian U-23 national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
BOLANAS.COM – Performing well with the Indonesian U-23 national team at the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, Nathan Tjoe-A-On inherited the struggle of his great-grandfather who was willing to sacrifice his life for Indonesia.
Nathan Tjoe-A-On became a star player with the Indonesian U-23 national team in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.
In fact, the General Chair of PSSI even persuaded his club to let Nathan go.
He appeared spartan with Garuda Muda as a midfielder.
The coach of the Indonesian U-23 national team, Shin Tae-yong, transformed Nathan, whose original position was as a left back, into a central midfielder.
Appearing in three consecutive matches as a starter, Nathan demonstrated several times the skill of cutting off opponents’ movements.
Nathan’s struggle cannot be separated from the inspirational story that flows in his blood.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Nathan carries two nationalities within him.
Even so, deep inside his heart the soul of Garuda always burned.
Behind the Spartan game, it turns out that the blood of a hero flows within Nathan.
Nathan Noël Romejo Tjoe-A-On is a left-handed player who plays left wing-back for the Swansea City AFC (Championship) club who is currently on loan at SC Heerenveen (Eredivise).
Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on December 22 2001, Nathan Tjoe-A-On’s Indonesian blood flows from his grandfather who was born in Semarang, Central Java.
His great-grandfather was a brave warrior from Semarang who died with honor in battle against the invaders.
Nathan’s great grandfather was willing to sacrifice his life for Indonesian independence.
The heroic story of his great grandfather became a source of inspiration for Nathan.
Read Also: Shin Tae-yong said about the opportunity to win the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup: I will give my best
From a young age, a strong love for the country has been instilled in him.
Every time he wears the red and white jersey, Nathan is always reminded of his great-grandfather’s sacrifice.
He promised to fight with enthusiasm and never give up, in order to make the nation proud on the international stage.
Tejo is the nickname Nathan gets from Indonesian netizens.
He officially received an Indonesian passport on March 11, 2024.
Reporting from the official PSSI website, Nathan is indeed the lifeblood of the Indonesian U-23 national team’s midfield.
In three group stage matches and the quarter-finals of the U-23 Asian Cup, Nathan’s role seemed irreplaceable.
The performance of the Garuda Muda squad could be said to be amazing against Australia, Jordan and South Korea.
Nathan returned to his club SC Heerenveen after the final group stage match against Jordan.
The 22 year old defender was only given one week to leave the club and defend Indonesia in the U-23 Asian Cup.
To his club, Nathan expressed his desire to return to Qatar to realize Indonesia’s dream of taking part in the Paris Olympics.
“I really respect the club’s decision, but I personally want to return to Qatar for the Indonesian national team,” said Nathan.
“Please allow me to help the Indonesian U-23 national team achieve its dream of playing in the Olympics,”
“I am willing to cut my salary as long as I can return to the Indonesian national team,” he said firmly.
Nathan also returned to Qatar and became Indonesia’s mainstay against South Korea.
He was also sincere when Shin Tae-yong was not appointed in the penalty drama with South Korea in the quarter-finals.
According to regulations, Indonesia had to balance the squad by removing one executor because South Korea played with 10 players from the 70th minute.
Instead of other players, STY actually removed Nathan’s name from the list of executors.
Nathan is predicted to remain a mainstay when Indonesia faces the winner of either Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia in the semifinals.
One more step, Nathan can experience the competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The three best Asian Cup teams automatically qualify for the Olympics, while the fourth place must go through a play-off against Africa’s representative, Guinea.