Calvin Verdonk arrives in Jakarta, remains ready to play against Oman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has stated that Calvin Verdonk is ready to be played in the FIFA friendly against Oman this Friday (5/6), despite the player having only just arrived in Jakarta.

“Calvin Verdonk has just joined us. He is in fit condition. For personal reasons, he could not arrive at the beginning of the preparation period. However, he is ready to play tomorrow,” Herdman said during a pre-match press conference at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on Thursday.

During the team’s official training session at SUGBK on Thursday afternoon, Verdonk underwent separate training on the sidelines. Also observed on the sidelines was Marselino Ferdinan, whom Herdman revealed is currently suffering from a hamstring injury.

The official training session was attended by 23 players, including two naturalisation candidates, Luke Vickery and Mitchell Baker, who were not included in the final squad for the two FIFA friendly matches in June.

According to Herdman, Verdonk could potentially play from the start against Oman, though this remains dependent on his physical condition.

“He might be a starter, or we might bring him on mid-match. We must consider his level of readiness and ensure all decisions we make prioritise player safety,” said the English coach.

On the same occasion, Herdman also praised Verdonk’s quality, noting his recent performances in the French league with LOSC Lille during the 2025/2026 season. In his first season in France, Verdonk made 26 appearances in total, including 18 in Ligue 1 and seven in the Europa League. He helped Lille finish third in the 2025/2026 Ligue 1 season, securing their place in the UEFA Champions League for next season.

“He is a great player. He has worked very hard to be here despite several challenges he had to face. This demonstrates his commitment and his love for this team,” Herdman added.