Dynamic forward Mauro Zijlstra has openly declared his strong desire to represent the U-22 Indonesian National Team at the upcoming 2025 SEA Games, even though the prestigious Southeast Asian multi-sport event falls outside FIFA’s official calendar. This aspiration highlights his commitment to the Young Garuda squad, a significant detail given the challenges clubs often face in releasing players for non-FIFA tournaments.
Zijlstra, an emerging talent from the diaspora, is among the promising players selected by U-22 Indonesian National Team coach, Indra Sjafri, to commence preparations for the 2025 SEA Games. The Young Garuda squad is currently immersed in the second phase of its rigorous training camp (TC) being held in Jakarta, intensifying their focus ahead of the tournament.
The Red and White team recently held its inaugural open training session at Madya Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. This session served as a crucial part of their preparations for two upcoming test matches against Mali, scheduled to take place at Pakansari Stadium, Bogor, West Java, on November 15 and 18, 2025. The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has confirmed that these friendly encounters, though vital for team cohesion, will not contribute to FIFA ranking points.
The U-22 Indonesian National Team is setting its sights firmly on securing a gold medal, with Sumardji remarking it would be “a cure for failing to reach the World Cup.” This ambitious target underscores the significance of the SEA Games for Indonesian football, fueling the determination of players like Zijlstra to contribute to the nation’s success.
Following his initial training sessions with the U-22 Indonesian National Team, Mauro Zijlstra candidly shared insights into his current condition, having only recently joined the squad. The 21-year-old player admitted to feeling a degree of exhaustion, attributing it to his recent arrival and the swift transition into intense training.
“I arrived yesterday, so I was still a bit tired and hadn’t slept at all,” Mauro Zijlstra told media representatives, including BolaSport.com, at Madya Stadium. He quickly added with optimism, “But now I feel better. Tomorrow will definitely be even better, so everything is fine.” Despite the initial fatigue, the FC Volendam player emphasized that his brief walks on the sidelines during training were merely a result of jet lag, not an injury, assuring that his condition would rapidly improve.
“Yes, I am not injured. I just arrived yesterday, so I’m still a bit jet-lagged. My condition will be better, and I’ll be ready to play,” Mauro Zijlstra confidently stated. His focus is now on quickly getting up to speed and fully integrating with his new teammates.
Beyond his physical condition, Mauro also discussed the crucial aspect of adapting to the U-22 Indonesian National Team players. Having previously experienced training with players from the senior Indonesian National Team, Zijlstra expressed a keen curiosity about his new teammates, including Kadek Arel, and an eagerness to seamlessly blend into the U-22 squad dynamics.
“I haven’t really played with the guys on this team yet, only practiced passing so far. We can see the level of this team,” Mauro Zijlstra elaborated, indicating his early observations. He remains ambitious for the upcoming fixtures, stating, “I’m curious to see their abilities. I think we can win against Mali and also at the SEA Games. We’ll see how it turns out.”
Crucially, Mauro’s conversation extended beyond the Mali test matches to his potential participation in the 2025 SEA Games. This multi-sport event, hosted in Thailand from December 3-18, 2025, is not on the official FIFA calendar. Consequently, clubs are not obliged to release their players, posing a significant hurdle for national teams.
Regarding this, Mauro Zijlstra acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding FC Volendam’s approval for his participation. However, he reaffirmed his profound desire to compete in the 2025 SEA Games. He sees this as a valuable opportunity, especially given his limited playing time with the Dutch club.
As Sumardji clarified the circumstances of three diaspora players unexpectedly joining the U-22 Indonesian National Team’s training camp, Mauro Zijlstra revealed he has already communicated his intentions to his club. He admitted to speaking with FC Volendam about his strong wish to play for the U-22 Indonesian National Team at the 2025 SEA Games. “I have already told Volendam that I want to play in this tournament,” Mauro Zijlstra confirmed.
His motivation is clear: to gain valuable match experience that has been scarce at his club. “I haven’t played much at FC Volendam, so my agent and I are looking for solutions during the winter break,” Zijlstra explained, hinting at the broader context of his career development. He concluded with hopeful anticipation, “Now I’m waiting for their response, but I think I will be able to play in the SEA Games. We’ll see how it goes.”
Summary
Dynamic forward Mauro Zijlstra has expressed a strong desire to represent the U-22 Indonesian National Team at the 2025 SEA Games, despite the event not being on the official FIFA calendar. He is currently participating in the Young Garuda squad’s training camp in Jakarta, preparing for the tournament and upcoming test matches against Mali. Zijlstra, an emerging talent, joins the team aiming to secure a gold medal, highlighting his commitment to national success.
Upon joining the squad, Zijlstra admitted to initial fatigue due to jet lag but confirmed he is not injured and expects rapid improvement. He is eager to adapt to his new teammates and is curious about their abilities. Crucially, Zijlstra has communicated his strong wish to play in the SEA Games to his club, FC Volendam, viewing it as a vital opportunity to gain match experience lacking at his current club, and he is optimistic about their approval.
